Final meal, last words of morbidly obese killer revealed before hes executed for strangling beloved Miami Herald worker

A “morbidly obese” convicted killer who kidnapped and strangled a Miami newspaper worker 25 years ago recited a bible verse and munched on bacon, a candy bar and ice cream leading up to his execution in Florida Tuesday.Michael Tanzi, 48, was given a fatal injection at Florida State Prison and pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m.for the ruthless murder of respected Miami Herald production worker Janet Acosta in April 2000.As Acosta ate lunch in her van, Tanzi attacked and robbed her before driving the vehicle to the Florida Keys, where he strangled her and left her body on an island, according to authorities.The murderer’s legal team attempted to stop the execution by filing several appeals, including one based on the argument that he shouldn’t be killed because he was “morbidly obese” and had sciatica, which could lead to a cruel amount of pain during the lethal injection.

But the Florida Supreme Court shot that plea down, stating his appeal was not timely because his conditions had been known since 2009.Tanzi’s last meal consisted of a pork chop, bacon, a baked potato, corn, soda, ice cream and a candy bar, prison officials said, according to Newsweek.He also met with a spiritual advisor, who was his only visitor ahead of his execution.In his final statement, he directed his comments to Acosta’s family.“I want to apologize to the family,” he said softly before reciting a bible verse.Tanzi’s chest heaved for about three minutes when he was injected with the lethal dose.

A correction officer shook his shoulders and said his name twice before he was declared dead.The hulking figure was convicted of first-degree murder, carjacking, kidnapping and armed robbery with a 12-person jury unanimously recommending the death sentence.Tanzi bound and gagged Acosta and sexually assaulted her during her terrifying last moments. “He drove to an isolated area in Cudjoe Key, told her he was going to kill her, and began to strangle her,” the state Commission ...