Florida executes convicted murderer Donald Dillbeck

RAIFORD, Fla. (FLV) – One month after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for Donald Dillbeck, the convicted murderer was executed.

Thursday, Dillbeck had a chance to write his final words before facing execution. He murdered Lee County Sheriff deputy Dwight Lynn Hall in 1979 and Faye Vann in 1990.

Leading up to the final night, Dillbeck attempted to appeal the sentencing for capital punishment, which was denied by the U.S. Supreme Court.

It was ordered to be carried out at 6 p.m.

The Tallahassee Democrat obtained a written statement from Vann’s family, who praised the death penalty as providing “some closure.”

The family praised DeSantis.

“11,932 days ago, Donald Dillbeck brutally killed our mother. We were robbed of years of memories with her and it has been very painful ever since,” they said.

“We are grateful to Governor DeSantis for carrying out the sentence,” Tony and Laura Vann wrote.

He was reportedly pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m. and put to death via lethal injection.

The governor’s office announced DeSantis’ letter to Florida State Prison Warden Donald Davis signing off on the death warrant.

“Donald Dillbeck was a fugitive when the murder occurred, having escaped from prison two days prior.  Dillbeck was participating in an off-site vocational program when he escaped,” the governor’s office said. “Dillbeck walked to Tallahassee, purchasing a knife on the way. Upon arriving in Tallahassee, he walked to the mall and attempted to hijack Faye Vann’s car. Dillbeck brutally stabbed Faye numerous times, killing her.”

“He got what he deserved. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about it,” a sister of Vann said.

A nephew of Vann said, “My family was robbed of a wonderful lady Faye Lamb Vann she was my mom’s sister . . . we want you to sign a death warrant for Dillbeck . . . it is time for closure.”

The convicted criminal then attempted to flee in Faye’s car, but crashed and was caught by authorities. He was convicted of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and armed burglary.

Dillbeck was serving a life sentence for killing Lee County deputy Dwight Hall. Upon being questioned by the deputy in Fort Myers, he attempted to flee on foot, prompting a chase.

When the deputy caught up to Dillbeck, he grabbed Hall’s gun to fatally shoot the deputy.