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Man who stabbed salesman in robbery to be executed 37 years after murder

Ronald Heath was convicted of first-degree murder, robbery with a death weapon and multiple forgery charges in connection with the 1989 slaying of a salesman in Gainesville — Ronald Heath was convicted of first-degree murder, robbery with a death weapon and multiple forgery charges in connection with the 1989 slaying of a salesman in Gainesville (Florida Department of Corrections)

Ronald Palmer Heath, 64, is scheduled to be the first person executed in Florida this year, set to receive a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison.
Heath was convicted in 1990 of first-degree murder and robbery with a deadly weapon for the 1989 killing of traveling salesman Michael Sheridan.
The crime involved Heath and his brother Kenneth luring Sheridan to a remote area, where they shot and stabbed him before dumping his body and using his credit cards.
This execution follows a record 19 executions in Florida last year (2025) under Governor Ron DeSantis, the highest number since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
Heath's appeals to the Florida Supreme Court were recently denied, with similar challenges still awaiting a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Murderer who killed traveling salesman in brutal robbery to be executed — In full