Reaves had been on death row since 1992 after a second conviction; his 11th‑hour appeal was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, leaving the state’s lethal‑injection protocol unchallenged.
At 6:12 p.m., a three‑drug injection—sedative, paralytic, and cardiac arrest agent—was administered. Within 30 seconds, Reaves took a few deep breaths before succumbing; a medic confirmed no heartbeat a minute later.
Florida’s 2025 executions topped the nation at 19, and this year the state has already carried out 18 of the 32 U.S. executions, underscoring its aggressive death‑penalty policy under Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Deputy Raczkoski’s brother said the execution brought closure, while Sheriff Eric Flowers criticized the process as lacking true justice, echoing concerns that the state’s use of the death penalty is a symbolic gesture rather than a moral resolution.
The next scheduled execution is for Jesse Guardado, 64, convicted in 2004 of murdering a 75‑year‑old woman; the state has no objections to proceeding on Nov. 5, pending any final appeals.