Murder Of Carmen Gayheart
Nursing Student Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Lake City, Florida
TIME PERIOD
April 27, 1994
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On April 27, 1994, 23-year-old nursing student Carmen Gabriella Gayheart was abducted at gunpoint while loading groceries into her vehicle in the parking lot of a Winn-Dixie supermarket in Lake City, Florida. Shortly after her disappearance, her family reported her missing when she failed to pick up her two children from daycare. The perpetrators, Anthony Wainwright and Richard Hamilton, had escaped from a North Carolina prison just days prior and subsequently drove Gayheart to a remote area in Hamilton County, where she was raped and murdered. Following a multi-state investigation, both suspects were apprehended, tried, and convicted of first-degree murder; Hamilton died on death row in January 2023, while Wainwright was executed on June 10, 2025. Significant evidence included the stolen vehicle and firearms linked to the suspects, as well as witness testimonies that led to their capture.
The murder of Carmen Gayheart is believed to have been committed by Anthony Wainwright and Richard Hamilton, who had recently escaped from prison. Some speculate that the crime was opportunistic, as they targeted Gayheart in a vulnerable situation when she was alone in a parking lot. There are also theories suggesting that the brutal nature of the crime indicates a premeditated intent rather than a random act of violence.
The Tragic Murder of Carmen Gayheart
A Young Life Interrupted
On the morning of April 27, 1994, 23-year-old Carmen Gabriella Gayheart, a devoted mother and nursing student, vanished from her familiar surroundings in Lake City, Florida. She was last seen alive in a parking lot, and when she failed to pick up her two children from daycare, alarm bells rang. Her absence was uncharacteristic and deeply concerning, prompting her husband, father, and classmates to launch a desperate search. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain, and the authorities were alerted to her disappearance.
A Sinister Encounter
Unbeknownst to her loved ones, Carmen's fate took a dark turn that day. As she loaded groceries into her Ford Bronco at the local Winn-Dixie supermarket, two dangerous fugitives, Anthony Wainwright and Richard Hamilton, abducted her at gunpoint. Just days earlier, on April 25, the pair had escaped from the Carteret Correctional Center in Newport, North Carolina. They were hardened criminals—Wainwright serving a ten-year sentence for burglary and Hamilton a 25-year stint for armed robbery. Their escape was followed by a series of crimes, including stealing a vehicle and burglarizing a home for weapons, before they made their way to Florida.
The Cruel Crime
After forcing Carmen into her own vehicle, Wainwright and Hamilton abandoned their getaway car at a lumber yard and drove her to a secluded wooded area near the Fuel City Truck Stop in Hamilton County. There, away from prying eyes, the two men subjected Carmen to a horrific sexual assault. Hamilton later testified that Wainwright strangled her in a cruel attempt to ensure her demise, and, as if that wasn’t enough, he shot her twice in the head with a .22 rifle. Carmen Gayheart, a young mother and promising student, was brutally murdered and left in the woods.
The Hunt for Justice
The day following the murder, April 28, 1994, Wainwright and Hamilton, still in Carmen's Ford Bronco, were located near Brookhaven, Mississippi. In a confrontation with a Mississippi State Trooper, they engaged in a gunfight, resulting in non-fatal injuries to both fugitives. Despite the recovery of the vehicle, Carmen was nowhere to be found. It was Hamilton's confession, after being extradited back to Florida, that led authorities to the grim scene. He drew a map of the location, which was later recognized by a local dispatcher, Tina Wheeler, leading to the discovery of Carmen's decomposed body on May 2, 1994.
The Trial of Monsters
In the wake of their arrest, both men faced charges for first-degree murder, sexual battery, robbery, and kidnapping. Public outrage was palpable, and the State Attorney, Jerry Blair, pursued the death penalty, citing the brutal and premeditated nature of the crime. Due to intense media scrutiny, the trial moved to Clay County. During their pre-trial detention, both men plotted escape attempts, prompting authorities to place them in maximum security. Stun belts were used during court appearances to prevent any further attempts at violence or escape.
In May 1995, separate juries found both Wainwright and Hamilton guilty of all charges. On June 1, 1995, they recommended the death penalty for the heinous act of first-degree murder. Circuit Judge Vernon Douglas imposed death sentences via the electric chair, describing the crime as "wicked, evil and vile," and further sentencing each man to three consecutive life terms for their other brutal offenses.
The Long Road through Appeals
The appellate process was long and arduous. Hamilton's appeals were consistently denied by the Florida Supreme Court, culminating in his post-conviction appeal being dismissed in February 2018. Wainwright's appeals followed a similar path, with the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately rejecting his final appeal in April 2024, despite his claim of prenatal exposure to Agent Orange.
A Grim Resolution
Richard Hamilton died of natural causes on January 13, 2023, after nearly three decades on death row. For Anthony Wainwright, the end came on June 10, 2025, when he was executed by lethal injection. He left this world without a final statement, marking the close of a dark chapter that began with the murder of Carmen Gayheart.
The Aftermath
Carmen Gayheart's murder left a lasting impact on her family and community. Her funeral was held on May 10, 1994, and a trust fund was established for her children. Her family's quest for justice continued for decades, with her sister and mother vocal in their desire for the execution of both men. Tragically, Carmen's mother succumbed to cancer in 2022, never seeing justice fully realized.
The heart-wrenching case of Carmen Gayheart serves as a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring pain of those left behind. Her story is one of innocence lost and the tireless pursuit of justice in the face of unspeakable evil.
Sources
For more details, visit the Wikipedia article on the murder of Carmen Gayheart.
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Carmen Gayheart Abducted
Carmen Gayheart, a nursing student, is abducted at gunpoint by Anthony Wainwright and Richard Hamilton.
Gayheart's Body Found
The decomposed remains of Carmen Gayheart are discovered in a wooded area in Hamilton County, Florida.
Indictments Issued
A grand jury indicts Wainwright and Hamilton on multiple charges including first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Guilty Verdicts
Both Wainwright and Hamilton are found guilty of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Carmen Gayheart.
Death Sentences Imposed
Wainwright and Hamilton are sentenced to death for the murder of Carmen Gayheart.
Hamilton Dies on Death Row
Richard Hamilton dies in prison after spending nearly 28 years on death row.
Wainwright Executed
Anthony Wainwright is executed by lethal injection in Florida State Prison.
On April 27, 1994, 23-year-old nursing student Carmen Gabriella Gayheart was abducted at gunpoint while loading groceries into her vehicle in the parking lot of a Winn-Dixie supermarket in Lake City, Florida. Shortly after her disappearance, her family reported her missing when she failed to pick up her two children from daycare. The perpetrators, Anthony Wainwright and Richard Hamilton, had escaped from a North Carolina prison just days prior and subsequently drove Gayheart to a remote area in Hamilton County, where she was raped and murdered. Following a multi-state investigation, both suspects were apprehended, tried, and convicted of first-degree murder; Hamilton died on death row in January 2023, while Wainwright was executed on June 10, 2025. Significant evidence included the stolen vehicle and firearms linked to the suspects, as well as witness testimonies that led to their capture.
The murder of Carmen Gayheart is believed to have been committed by Anthony Wainwright and Richard Hamilton, who had recently escaped from prison. Some speculate that the crime was opportunistic, as they targeted Gayheart in a vulnerable situation when she was alone in a parking lot. There are also theories suggesting that the brutal nature of the crime indicates a premeditated intent rather than a random act of violence.
The Tragic Murder of Carmen Gayheart
A Young Life Interrupted
On the morning of April 27, 1994, 23-year-old Carmen Gabriella Gayheart, a devoted mother and nursing student, vanished from her familiar surroundings in Lake City, Florida. She was last seen alive in a parking lot, and when she failed to pick up her two children from daycare, alarm bells rang. Her absence was uncharacteristic and deeply concerning, prompting her husband, father, and classmates to launch a desperate search. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain, and the authorities were alerted to her disappearance.
A Sinister Encounter
Unbeknownst to her loved ones, Carmen's fate took a dark turn that day. As she loaded groceries into her Ford Bronco at the local Winn-Dixie supermarket, two dangerous fugitives, Anthony Wainwright and Richard Hamilton, abducted her at gunpoint. Just days earlier, on April 25, the pair had escaped from the Carteret Correctional Center in Newport, North Carolina. They were hardened criminals—Wainwright serving a ten-year sentence for burglary and Hamilton a 25-year stint for armed robbery. Their escape was followed by a series of crimes, including stealing a vehicle and burglarizing a home for weapons, before they made their way to Florida.
The Cruel Crime
After forcing Carmen into her own vehicle, Wainwright and Hamilton abandoned their getaway car at a lumber yard and drove her to a secluded wooded area near the Fuel City Truck Stop in Hamilton County. There, away from prying eyes, the two men subjected Carmen to a horrific sexual assault. Hamilton later testified that Wainwright strangled her in a cruel attempt to ensure her demise, and, as if that wasn’t enough, he shot her twice in the head with a .22 rifle. Carmen Gayheart, a young mother and promising student, was brutally murdered and left in the woods.
The Hunt for Justice
The day following the murder, April 28, 1994, Wainwright and Hamilton, still in Carmen's Ford Bronco, were located near Brookhaven, Mississippi. In a confrontation with a Mississippi State Trooper, they engaged in a gunfight, resulting in non-fatal injuries to both fugitives. Despite the recovery of the vehicle, Carmen was nowhere to be found. It was Hamilton's confession, after being extradited back to Florida, that led authorities to the grim scene. He drew a map of the location, which was later recognized by a local dispatcher, Tina Wheeler, leading to the discovery of Carmen's decomposed body on May 2, 1994.
The Trial of Monsters
In the wake of their arrest, both men faced charges for first-degree murder, sexual battery, robbery, and kidnapping. Public outrage was palpable, and the State Attorney, Jerry Blair, pursued the death penalty, citing the brutal and premeditated nature of the crime. Due to intense media scrutiny, the trial moved to Clay County. During their pre-trial detention, both men plotted escape attempts, prompting authorities to place them in maximum security. Stun belts were used during court appearances to prevent any further attempts at violence or escape.
In May 1995, separate juries found both Wainwright and Hamilton guilty of all charges. On June 1, 1995, they recommended the death penalty for the heinous act of first-degree murder. Circuit Judge Vernon Douglas imposed death sentences via the electric chair, describing the crime as "wicked, evil and vile," and further sentencing each man to three consecutive life terms for their other brutal offenses.
The Long Road through Appeals
The appellate process was long and arduous. Hamilton's appeals were consistently denied by the Florida Supreme Court, culminating in his post-conviction appeal being dismissed in February 2018. Wainwright's appeals followed a similar path, with the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately rejecting his final appeal in April 2024, despite his claim of prenatal exposure to Agent Orange.
A Grim Resolution
Richard Hamilton died of natural causes on January 13, 2023, after nearly three decades on death row. For Anthony Wainwright, the end came on June 10, 2025, when he was executed by lethal injection. He left this world without a final statement, marking the close of a dark chapter that began with the murder of Carmen Gayheart.
The Aftermath
Carmen Gayheart's murder left a lasting impact on her family and community. Her funeral was held on May 10, 1994, and a trust fund was established for her children. Her family's quest for justice continued for decades, with her sister and mother vocal in their desire for the execution of both men. Tragically, Carmen's mother succumbed to cancer in 2022, never seeing justice fully realized.
The heart-wrenching case of Carmen Gayheart serves as a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring pain of those left behind. Her story is one of innocence lost and the tireless pursuit of justice in the face of unspeakable evil.
Sources
For more details, visit the Wikipedia article on the murder of Carmen Gayheart.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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Carmen Gayheart Abducted
Carmen Gayheart, a nursing student, is abducted at gunpoint by Anthony Wainwright and Richard Hamilton.
Gayheart's Body Found
The decomposed remains of Carmen Gayheart are discovered in a wooded area in Hamilton County, Florida.
Indictments Issued
A grand jury indicts Wainwright and Hamilton on multiple charges including first-degree murder and kidnapping.
Guilty Verdicts
Both Wainwright and Hamilton are found guilty of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Carmen Gayheart.
Death Sentences Imposed
Wainwright and Hamilton are sentenced to death for the murder of Carmen Gayheart.
Hamilton Dies on Death Row
Richard Hamilton dies in prison after spending nearly 28 years on death row.
Wainwright Executed
Anthony Wainwright is executed by lethal injection in Florida State Prison.