The State of Florida executed William Silvia on August 18, 2026, by lethal injection for the 2006 murder of his estranged wife, Patricia Wyatt. Wyatt’s mother, Betty Woodard, was present at the front-center of the witness room during Silvia’s execution. Silvia, in his final words, apologized and said it was an accident, a claim that directly contradicts his own trial admission, in which he acknowledged killing Wyatt over money.

“It was an accident. I never meant to hurt her,” Silvia said in his final words.

Woodard, who had survived a gunshot wound to the face and two bouts of cancer, witnessed the execution of the man who killed her daughter 20 years ago. The Supreme Court denied Silvia’s final petition and stay application the morning of his execution. Silvia’s last requested meal was a burger, French fries, onion rings, dark chocolate, and root beer. He met with a spiritual advisor but did not have any visitors prior to his execution.

Trial and Contradicting Final Claim

During Silvia’s trial, he admitted that he killed Wyatt, saying she had spent all his money, according to the court records. Jurors found Silvia guilty of first-degree murder in Wyatt’s death and attempted murder of Woodard. Silvia’s final claim contradicted his actions of buying a weapon and then going to his mother-in-law’s house, which prosecutors argued showed the killing was premeditated, according to court documents.

Silvia was convicted on June 6, 2008, and sentenced to death on January 28, 2009. The Florida Supreme Court affirmed Silvia’s conviction in 2011 and reinstated the death penalty after a lower court granted Silvia a resentencing.

Background

On September 22, 2006, Silvia bought a 12-gauge Mossberg Persuader shotgun and went to Woodard’s home, where his estranged wife was staying at the time. Silvia initially tried talking to Wyatt about getting back together. When Wyatt refused to reconcile, he told her, “You’ll be sorry,” before retrieving the shotgun and shooting her. Silvia shot Woodard in the face, then shot Wyatt in the back of the head and fired five more shots. Authorities at the scene confirmed that no one else was injured.

Wyatt had left Silvia in July 2006, following a series of violent behaviors, including paranoia, possessiveness and erratic behavior. Wyatt, along with her two teenage children, had moved to her mother’s house. Silvia had been stalking and harassing Wyatt for months. He waited outside her workplace and called her at all hours.

Woodard, who survived the shooting, lost an eye, part of her nose, and her sense of smell, and lived to witness the execution. Wyatt’s sister, Pam Wyatt, said their mother “refused to allow what happened to her define the rest of their lives,” and became a pillar of strength.