Aileen Wuornos (execution)
Aileen Wuornos, who killed seven men along Florida highways, was executed in 2002. She had abandoned her appeals, saying she wanted to die. The case explored how childhood trauma can create killers.
Aileen Wuornos was executed by lethal injection on October 9, 2002 at Florida State Prison. She had killed seven men along Florida highways between 1989 and 1990, shooting them while working as a sex worker.
Wuornos initially claimed self-defense, saying the men had raped or attempted to rape her. She later recanted and said some of the killings were not in self-defense.
Her final words before execution were bizarre, referencing Jesus and claiming she would 'be back like Independence Day.' She had voluntarily abandoned her appeals.
Wuornos's life story—severe childhood abuse, abandonment, prostitution, and violence—was depicted in the 2003 film 'Monster,' for which Charlize Theron won the Academy Award for Best Actress.
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