Duane Owen Executed in Florida On June 15, 2023

Duane Owen, Florida

Updated: Thursday, June 15, 2023

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, Florida carried out the execution of Duane Owen.  He was pronounced dead at 6:14 am, inside the execution chamber at the Florida State Prison in Raiford, Florida.  Duane was 62 years of age and executed for the murder of 14-year-old Karen Slattery on March 24, 1984, in Delray Beach, Florida.  He received a separate death sentence for the murder of 38-year-old Georgianna Worden on May 28, 1984, in Boca Raton, Florida.  Duane spent the last 37 years of his life on Florida’s death row.

Duane Owen had a difficult childhood. His parents were alcoholics and Duane was exposed to and experienced sexual and physical violence. Duane had a history of drug and alcohol use from a young age. He briefly served in the US Army.

Karen Slattery was babysitting on the evening of March 24, 1984. After putting the children to sleep, someone broke into the home by cutting through a screen in a window in the master bedroom. Karen’s body was discovered in the master bedroom. She had been stabbed 18 times with a knife and there was evidence of sexual assault. The children Karen had been babysitting were unharmed.

On May 28 or 29, 1984, an intruder broke into the home of Georgianna Worden while she slept. She was struck over the head with a hammer, killing her. Evidence indicated she had been sexually assaulted after her death.

On May 30, 1984, Duane Owen was arrested on burglary charges unrelated to the two deaths. Eventually, Owen confessed to both crimes. His fingerprints were also found on objects at one of the crime scenes.

Owen was convicted of each murder and given separate death sentences.

Please pray for the families of Karen Slattery and Georgianna Worden. Please pray for strength for the family of Duane Owen. 

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