All PRISONERS EXECUTED in April 2026 (US): Last Meals & Final Words
In this video, I’ll be covering a roundup of the criminals executed during the month of April. Stay with me because we’ll look at shocking cases from a criminal who burned his victim alive to another who was sentenced to death at 20 and executed at 70 and finally one who got married in prison just 10 days before his execution.
Chadwick Willis state Florida. To understand what happened, we first need to look at who Chadwick Scott Willisy was. He was born and raised in Palm Bay, Florida, where he had what was described as a normal childhood. However, according to reports, his life changed drastically toward the end of high school when he developed an addiction to crack cocaine.
This addiction led to a major shift in his behavior. He dropped out of school and began committing robberies to support his habit. On the other side of the story is the victim, Marus May Sather. She was 56 years old at the time of her murder and was a respected member of the Palm Bay community where she worked as an office clerk.
She was a devoted mother and grandmother very close to her family. At that point in her life, she spent much of her time alone at home as she had been widowed just two months earlier after her husband died from liver cancer. Chadwick knew all of this as he lived right next door. For weeks, Willy carefully studied Mariss’s schedule and daily routine, planning a robbery at her home.
On September 5th, 1990, he decided to break in, believing no one was there, hoping to get money to feed his addiction. However, unexpectedly, Marus returned home early during her lunch break because she needed to take care of some errands related to selling her car. When she walked in, she caught Willisy in the middle of the burglary.
Seeing him inside her home, Sather tried to talk to him. Despite his addiction, she had known him since he was young and attempted to calm the situation. But in a brutal turn of events once he realized he had been caught, Willisy attacked her with extreme violence. He repeatedly struck her in the head with a blunt object with such force that it fractured and displaced part of her skull.
Determined to eliminate the only witness who could identify him, he restrained her by tying her hands and feet with wire and tape. After a failed attempt to strangle her with a phone cord, Willisy poured gasoline over her, disabled the home smoke detectors, and set the house on fire.
To make sure the flames spread quickly, he placed a fan at her feet. The autopsy later revealed that Sather died from smoke inhalation, confirming she was still alive and conscious when the fire began. Before fleeing, he took everything of value he could find, loaded it into Sather’s car, and escaped in the stolen vehicle. Chadwick Willisy was captured just one day after the crime.
It all began when his own girlfriend, Marissa Walcott, found the victim’s checkbook in the trash at his home and alerted authorities. Investigators also found his fingerprints on the gasoline can and the fan used to fuel the fire. In addition, surveillance footage from an ATM showed him using Sather’s card with the stolen car visible in the background.
In 1991, a jury found him guilty and recommended the death penalty by a vote of 9 to3. However, that sentence was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court in 1994 due to a procedural error. The judge did not allow the defense to rehabilitate a potential juror who had expressed doubts about the death penalty during jury selection.
In 1995, a new penalty phase trial was held before the same judge, Theren despite the defense attempting to have him removed for alleged bias. This time, prosecutors presented graphic videos and photographs showing the condition of the victim, while the defense argued that the crime was the result of a crack induced psychosis.
The new jury was more decisive, recommending the death penalty by a vote of 11 to1, after which Willisy was formally sentenced to death. Willis spent more than three decades on death row. During that time, he underwent a spiritual transformation, converting to Islam and adopting the name Khalil. Over the years, he sought to have his case reviewed under new legal rulings such as the Hurst decision, which requires unanimous jury recommendations for death sentences.
However, the courts rejected his appeals, ruling that his sentence had been final since 1997. On March 13th, 2026, Governor Ronda Santis signed his death warrant, triggering a final round of legal challenges. His attorneys argued that the state lacked transparency and requested access to records to verify the lethal injection protocol, citing concerns about potentially expired or improperly administered drugs.
These requests were denied in the days leading up to the execution. Finally, on April 21st, 2026, Willisy woke up at 7:00 a.m. at Florida State Prison. In his final hours, he was visited by his mother, his sisters, and a cousin. He remained calm and appeared resigned, especially after his last appeal was denied. In his final meal before the execution, Willisy requested fried chicken, French fries, ice cream, and cake. At 5:10 p.m.
he was escorted to the execution chamber and at 6:00 p.m. he was executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison. Witnesses reported that Willys appeared visibly nervous and he was lightly sedated to ensure he complied with the procedure. His death was officially pronounced at 6:15 p.m. When asked if he had any final words, he said, “To all my friends on death row, stay strong.
” He then added, “I would never kill a friend.” Referring to his neighbor. And finally, he said, “I hope this brings you peace. If it does, that’s okay. But this is not right.” Shortly after the lethal injection began, Willis’s body shook and he appeared to groan for about 30 seconds before becoming still. A correctional officer shook him and called his name, but there was no response.
His skin began to turn gray, and moments later, a doctor entered the chamber, examined him, and declared him dead. “Marley Sather’s only son witnessed the execution. Shortly afterward, he spoke through tears. “I wanted to make sure I saw the warden say he was dead,” said John Sather, 68. “I wanted to make sure my mother got justice for someone who walked in and took her life in a matter of seconds.
” James Broadnax, State Texas. >> Tell me what happened in the parking lot of that recording studio. >> What happened? >> What happened? >> Kit that [ __ ] >> Why? >> James Broadnax was born on October 30th, 1988 in California into a workingclass family considered normal. During his youth, he spent most of his time alone, a situation that contributed to him dropping out of school after completing only the 10th grade.
Before the crime, he had no history of violent behavior and was seen by those who knew him as lazy. His only legal record was a minor conviction for non-violent marijuana possession. Broadnax had a very close relationship with his cousin Dearius Cummings, with whom he spent much of his time.
Unlike him, Cummings already had a criminal record that included several convictions for robbery and burglary. In 2008, both cousins, at 19 years old, decided to move to Dallas, Texas, where they continued committing small robberies to support their addictions. In the early hours of June 19th, 2008, James Broadnax and his cousin Dearyius Cummings took a train from southeast Dallas to Garland, a suburb they believed was mostly populated by wealthy white residents.
Their goal was to commit a robbery, but they had no specific plan. They were simply looking for a random opportunity. Around 1:00 a.m., after wandering around the area several times, they came across Steven Swan and Matthew Butler outside their recording studio. At first, the cousins showed no signs of aggression and instead struck up a friendly conversation with the music producers.
For about 30 to 45 minutes, they talked about music and the industry, seemingly gaining their trust before leaving the area. However, this was far from a chance encounter with no ulterior motives. Broadnacks and Cummings had already taken note of the victims and were beginning to consider robbing them. After walking away, they decided not to carry out the plan at that moment for reasons that were never entirely clear.
However, when they tried to return to Dallas, they realized that public transportation was no longer running. With no money and no way to get back, they chose to return to the studio. this time with a more determined and violent plan to rob the producers and steal their vehicle to escape. When they returned to the studio, Swan and Butler were still there, something they hadn’t accounted for, so they had to improvise.
Cummings told Broadax that he needed to shoot them. As they approached, Cummings asked for a cigarette, and without giving them a chance to respond, they brutally opened fire. Broadneck shot Swan twice. When he fell to the ground and tried to get back up, he shot him once more.
Butler, witnessing the scene, attempted to flee, but Broadnack shot him four times. Both men died on the pavement from gunshot wounds to the head and chest. After the shooting, the attackers searched the victim’s pockets. It is shocking that they took two lives over money. And even more disturbing is that they only ended up with $2 in cash.
The most valuable item they stole was Swan’s 1995 Ford Crown Victoria, which they used to flee the scene. >> [ __ ] You know what I’m saying? We going to get ready to leave. I went back and asked like, “Man, y’all got a uh one of y’all got a cigarette?” You know what I’m saying? Like, “Yep.” So, [ __ ] He went to go reach for it, pulled the pistol, shot him, shot the driver, whoever the [ __ ] he was.
[ __ ] He like the one I shot at first, he stumbled back, you know what I’m saying? Like dropped, got back up like he was f to run. The one I hit second, you know what I’m saying? He raised up like he was going to do something. So I shot him in the head. You know what I’m saying? Then the other one [ __ ] shot him twice in the head just make sure [ __ ] that.
You know what I’m saying? I don’t need that [ __ ] You know what I’m saying? Lay that [ __ ] down. You know what I’m saying? So me and my cousin ran their pockets. You know what I’m saying? Got the keys, got their wallet and [ __ ] Hopped in the driver, hopped in the passenger side. We’re good.
Hours later, the cousins arrived at an apartment in Dallas where they began drinking and smoking. Later, they even bragged to family members about what they had done, showing Steven Swan’s driver’s license as if it were a trophy. That same night, after being reported by an acquaintance who had seen the news, police located them in the stolen vehicle in Tex Arcana, about 150 mi away, where they were finally arrested.
Matthew, a respected Christian music producer and owner of Zion Gate Records Studio in downtown Garland, worked alongside his best friend and partner, Steven, to provide a creative space for Christian artists. Steven, a resident of Carolton, was also a talented producer, engineer, and musician.
Both were described as bright, generous, and hard-working young men, deeply committed to their craft and to supporting other artists. The initial resolution of the case was surprisingly quick, largely due to James Broadnax’s own behavior. Shortly after his arrest at just 20 years old, he gave multiple television interviews in which with chilling coldness in front of the cameras, he admitted to being the shooter.
He also stated that he felt no remorse and even asked for the death penalty, saying he did not want to continue living and potentially harming others in prison. >> I decided to go hit a lick. You know what I’m saying? And one of the best spots is garden cuz that’s where all the rich white folks stay at. You know what I’m saying? So got caught caught a mother slip [ __ ] and pop this.
That’s what it is. >> Without as much as a blink, James Broadneck talks about how he took two lives. >> Blank out, you know what I’m saying? And shot him like stumble back, shot the uh the driver. He hit the ground, you know what I’m saying? But he like leaned up like he was going to try to get back up. So I shot him in the head.
Then his homeboy, I shot his again. You know what I’m saying? But he was still trying to run off, but I knew he was going to die anyway. But just to make sure, pop pop shot his like, you know what I’m saying? Twice in the head or whatever. Me and my Kim folks ran their pockets, you know what I’m saying? He jumped in driver’s seat.
I jumped on passenger side and we dipped out. >> These statements led to his trial being moved forward and separated from his cousins, taking place in 2009. During the proceedings, the defense attempted to soften his statements, arguing that Broadnax was under the influence of severe marijuana intoxication both at the time of the crime and during his jailhouse interviews.
However, the court rejected these arguments, concluding that his statements demonstrated he was a dangerous criminal who should be sentenced to death. On October 14th, 2009, the Dallas County jury found him guilty of capital murder for the deaths of Steven Swan and Matthew Butler. Unlike Broadax, Cummings was tried separately in 2011.
Although he was also found guilty of capital murder, the state chose not to seek the death penalty against him as he was not the shooter and did not display the same attitude in interviews. He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison and is currently held at the Caulfield unit in Tennessee Colony, Texas. James Broadnack spent nearly 17 years on Texas death row, specifically at the Palinsky unit in Livingston.
During that time, he turned to poetry and writing. As is often the case, he later showed signs of apparent remorse and transformation. He was recognized by both prison authorities and other inmates as a mentor to younger prisoners. Finally, in January 2026, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice scheduled his execution for April 30th of that same year.
A particularly striking event occurred on April 14th, 2026, just 16 days before his execution, when James married Tiana Kresniki, a British law graduate who became one of his main supporters. The ceremony took place at the Palonsky unit with the couple separated by a glass panel. The most dramatic turn came in March 2026, just weeks before the scheduled execution.
Dearius Cummings, who was serving a life sentence for his involvement, submitted an affidavit admitting that he was the sole shooter. Cummings stated that he had convinced Broadnax to initially take the blame because Broadax had no prior criminal history and they believed he would receive a lighter sentence.
A decision made while both were under the influence of drugs. know that he doing that he’s we was in this crime together but he’s on the other side of things that I should have been with him getting a death penalty that should have been me so I feel like this is a outlet to get it out to whoever listen to whoever going to as far as who y’all dealing with to tell the story as it should be told that it was me, you know, that I was the killer and bro just stood in my place.
>> However, Texas authorities did not change their position. The Court of Criminal Appeals refused to halt the execution, arguing that doubts about who fired the shots should have been raised years earlier and also pointing to the weight of Broadax’s televised confessions from 2008. On April 30th, 2026, the execution was carried out following the strict protocol of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
James Broadnax was transferred from the Palinsky unit in Livingston to the historic Huntsville unit. Outside the prison, the atmosphere was tense. Vigils and protests were organized across several Texas cities, reflecting the support of more than 80,000 online petition signers, as well as backing from over 60 religious leaders who had called for clemency.
Inside the prison, Broadnack spent his final hours in contact with his spiritual adviserss and his wife, Tiana. At 300 p.m., he was placed in complete isolation. The execution began shortly after 6:00 p.m. local time when he was escorted into the death chamber and strapped to the gurnie.
Two intravenous lines were inserted for the administration of a lethal dose of penttoarbital. At 6:26 p.m. the drug began to flow. According to reports, he appeared to gasp and convulse for around 5 minutes before losing consciousness and ultimately dying. When asked for his final words, he delivered a long statement addressed to the victim’s family and to his supporters.
To the family, I have prayed for years that any of my decisions have not caused heaviness in your hearts or burdens in your spirits. I have prayed to God for your forgiveness. Regardless of what you think of me, I hope that prayer has been answered. But no matter what you think of me, Texas got it wrong.
I am innocent. The facts of my case should speak for themselves. Period. Let this moment be what finally sparks the revolution that will be televised. None of this was worth it. Queen EMTT, I love you. My promise still stands. It always will. Keep fighting. Stay strong. Put God first. Never stop believing. I love you forever and a day.
I love you, Queen. Peace, love, and light. That is what I stand for. God bless you all. The term Queen Emtt was identified as an affectionate reference to his wife Tiana Cresniki who witnessed the execution. Seven family members of the victims were present, including the parents of Steven Swan and Matthew Butler.
Terresa Butler, Matthews mother, maintained that the execution represented necessary justice, rejecting claims of innocence made by the defense. Broadax’s wife, Tiana Cresniki, was the primary defense witness present. Reports described her reaction as deeply emotional. She pressed against the glass, repeatedly shouting, “I love you!” as her husband lost consciousness.
After the procedure ended, she had to be assisted out of the viewing area by officials. >> Hey, thank him. >> James Ernest Hitchcock, state Florida. James Ernest Hitchcock was born in 1956 in Arkansas, one of seven siblings. With so many children and after the early death of his father, he grew up in extreme poverty.
Over the years, his siblings went their separate ways, and by the age of 18, he was already involved in criminal activities such as theft, weapons use, and drug consumption. In the summer of 1976, James, at 20 years old, was involved in the burglary of a home in Arkansas where he was caught and sentenced to prison. However, not long after, he was granted parole.
It was then that one of his brothers, Richard Hitchcock, took pity on him and offered him the chance to move to Orlando, where he lived. So, James Hitchcock moved to Florida with the intention of starting over. Richard Hitchcock had moved to Orlando sometime earlier where he met Helen Judy Hitchcock. The two got married and began a life together.
Helen had a daughter from a previous relationship, Cynthia Anne Driggers, who was 13 years old and lived with them. When James moved in with Richard, his behavior did not change. He continued to have conflicts, did not work, and spent most of his time drinking alcohol and using marijuana. To make matters worse, he became obsessed with Cynthia.
He watched her, observed her at night, and even admitted to Richard that he felt desire toward her, something his brother immediately shut down. However, James’ obsession did not disappear. On July 30th, 1976, the night before the crime, Hitchcock spent time with Richard, Helen, and Cynthia watching television until 11 p.m. Later, Richard tried to talk to Cynthia, but she ignored him, so he decided to leave the house to drink with friends in the winter garden area.
Hitchcock returned to the residence at approximately 2:30 a.m. According to his initial confession to the police, he entered the house through a dining room window to avoid waking the others and went to his room. However, almost immediately, he began thinking about Cynthia. Driven by his obsession, he entered the young girl’s bedroom and committed a horrific act by sexually assaulting her.
Afterward, Cynthia told him she was in great pain and that she would tell her mother everything. Faced with the threat of the crime being discovered, which would mean not only a conviction for rape, but also the revocation of his parole, Hitchcock tried to silence her. When she resisted and he heard her screams, he grabbed her by the neck and forced her out of the house.
In nearby bushes, he beat and strangled her to death. After making sure she was no longer moving, he hid her body in the brush, returned to the house, took a shower, and went to sleep. The next day, when no one had heard from Cynthia Anne Driggers, Hitchcock, along with friends and family, went out searching for her along the roads and fields near Winter Garden until they finally found her body face down, hidden in a bush behind the house.
Investigations began immediately. Cynthia’s autopsy was carried out and police started searching for suspects. At one point, they even detained an innocent person unaware that the real perpetrator was James Hitchcock. This gave Hitchcock a sense of calm and security, believing he would not be caught.
While researching this case, I came across a disturbing detail. James himself gave an interview to the Orlando Sentinel. In it, he was asked if he knew anything about the crime, and he responded by sharing certain details without raising suspicion at the time. Cynthia Anne Driggers, affectionately known by her family as Cindy, was described by her loved ones as a cheerful, lively young girl.
Before the tragedy occurred, she confided in her younger sister and revealed something crucial. James had been behaving inappropriately toward her, but she begged her not to tell their mother because she was very afraid. However, as the days passed, all the evidence along with the testimony of Cynthia’s younger sister began to point toward him.
Eventually, Hitchcock was arrested and gave a detailed confession in which he admitted to both the sexual assault and the murder. James’ trial took place in January 1977, less than a year after the crime. The prosecution based much of its case on the confession Hitchcock had given after his arrest. However, during the trial, he recanted, claiming it had been coerced or fabricated to protect his brother.
In his new version, he stated that the relationship with Cynthia Anne Driggers was consensual and that his brother Richard Hitchcock upon discovering them flew into a rage, dragged her out of the room and killed her, insisting that he tried to intervene but failed to save her. The jury did not believe him. And on February 11th, 1977, the court formally sentenced James Hitchcock to death in the electric chair.
That raises the question, how did it take 50 years for the execution to be carried out? In short, Hitchcock went through a series of resentencing hearings marked by multiple legal errors. The case became even more complicated because due to failures in preserving the evidence, DNA testing was never possible.
As a result, he faced four separate trials and in all of them, he received the death penalty. in 1977, 1988, 1993, and finally in 1996. In 1988, something notable happened. Eight death row inmates testified on his behalf, stating that he was one of the calmst and most respectful people they had known inside the prison.
During the 50 years he spent incarcerated, Hitchcock maintained exemplary behavior. He never caused trouble, cooperated with authorities, and went from being illiterate to earning his GED. However, throughout all that time, he maintained his version of events. He admitted there was a sexual act, but claimed that the person responsible for the murder was his brother Richard, who had died years earlier.
Since Ron Santis took office, executions in Florida have increased significantly, and Hitchcock was one of those sentenced. On March 30th, 2026, his death warrant was signed, scheduling his execution for April 30th, 2026 by lethal injection at Florida State Prison. Hitchcock woke up at 5:00 a.m. on the day of his execution, took a shower, and received a visit from a family member whose identity was not disclosed.
Given that most of his relatives had already passed away, it is believed the visitor may have been a cousin. He did not receive spiritual guidance and around 10:00 a.m. he was offered his last meal which consisted of salad, chicken, ice cream, cake, and a soft drink. At 5:00 p.m., he was transported to the execution chamb
er and at 6:00 p.m. the execution by lethal injection began during which he was strapped down without any resistance. Once prepared, he was asked if he had any final words. Hitchcock said yes and stated, “I just wanted to say goodbye to my friend Joshua. Thank you for everything you’ve done.” He then lifted his head toward a man seated in the front row of the witness gallery who raised his hand in response.
It was Joshua. Afterward, the lethal drugs were administered and no visible signs of suffering were observed. Hitchcock, 70, was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. After spending nearly 5 decades in prison, his sentence was finally carried out. Cynthia’s mother, now 81 years old, said in an interview that she had hoped to live long enough to see justice served.
