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Death row inmate's chilling final message to wife and victim's family after heinous crime 30 years ago

Home> News> US News

Updated 12:47 11 Jun 2025 GMT+1Published 12:38 11 Jun 2025 GMT+1

Death row inmate's chilling final message to wife and victim's family after heinous crime 30 years ago

Anthony Wainwright has been executed for the murder of mom-of-two Carmen Grayheart after breaking out of prison three days prior

Joe Yates

Joe Yates

Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing

A death row inmate who was executed in Florida for the rape and murder of a mom-of-two quoted a cult classic film as part of his final message for his wife and the family of his victim.

Back in 1994, Carmen Gayheart was just 23 years old when she was abducted from a supermarket parking lot in Lake City, northern Florida, by Anthony Wainwright and his wicked accomplice, Richard Hamilton.

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The pair had both escaped from prison three days prior.

The nursing student, who was a married mom-of-two, was taken to a remote wooded area where they raped her, before Wainwright strangled and shot her in the head twice.

Wainwright and Hamilton both blamed each other for the brutal murder, but a jury unanimously convicted the pair of murder, kidnapping, robbery and rape during their trial in 1995, and recommended that they be sentenced to death.

After Hamilton died of natural causes two years ago on Death Row at the age of 59, yesterday (June 10) saw the execution of 54-year-old Wainwright be successfully carried out at Florida State Prison, near Starke - located a 40 minute drive from Lake City.

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Wainwright died by way of lethal injection at around 6pm, but not before issuing a chilling final message to his wife and Carmen's family.

According to Wainwright's spiritual advisor Rev. Jeff Hunt, he opted to not have a final meal as it 'would distract him from his family and the people that he loved'.

Carmen's older sister Maria David was in attendance to watch Wainwright conclude his death sentence.

Carmen Gayheart was just 23 when she was brutally murdered by Anthony Wainwright and his accomplice Richard Hamilton (WCJB)
Carmen Gayheart was just 23 when she was brutally murdered by Anthony Wainwright and his accomplice Richard Hamilton (WCJB)

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She said to the Daily Mail ahead of his execution: "Carmen was so scared for her life in her final moments, thinking, 'This is it. I’m gonna die'. And I can only hope that fear is something he’s feeling now, too."

While he told the distraught family that he hopes 'my death brings you peace and healing', he failed to apologize for inflicting the horrific crimes upon their loved one, the Mail exclusively reports.

He also addressed his wife, whom he stated had stood by his side throughout their time together.

"My beautiful wife Samantha, you are the love of my life. I’m so blessed we found each other. The years we have spent together have been beyond wonderful," the killer said.

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"They’ve been downright magical. Love is stronger than death and I know our love will last for eternity.

Anthony Wainwright died by way of lethal injection for the 1994 rape and murder of Carmen Gayheart (Florida Department of Corrections)
Anthony Wainwright died by way of lethal injection for the 1994 rape and murder of Carmen Gayheart (Florida Department of Corrections)

"I wanted to thank everyone who has supported my wife Samantha and I. It has truly been overwhelming. It has meant so much to us both."

The rapist then quoted The Princess Bride by stating: "Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while."

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Speaking to reporters after his execution, which she had waited 30 years for, Maria said: "Carmen was a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend."

She then said she is 'looking forward' to 'never having to think about Anthony Wainwright ever again'.

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org

Featured Image Credit: Florida Department of Corrections

Topics: Florida, Death Row, Crime, US News, True crime

Joe Yates
Joe Yates

Joe is a journalist for UNILAD, who particularly enjoys writing about crime. He has worked in journalism for five years, and has covered everything from murder trials to celeb news.

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@JMYjourno

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