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In a significant development from Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has authorized the execution of Andrew Richard Lukehart, convicted for the tragic murder of a 5-month-old infant over three decades ago. The execution is scheduled for June 2026, marking a somber milestone in a case that has lingered in the public consciousness for many years.
The case dates back to 1996 in Duval County, where Lukehart was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Gabrielle Hanshaw, his girlfriend’s daughter. The jury delivered a 9-3 verdict in 1997, leading to his death sentence. This decision was rooted in the horrifying details that emerged during the investigation, painting a grim picture of the events leading to the infant’s death.
The crime unfolded in February of that year when Lukehart initially reported an abduction, claiming an unknown assailant had taken Gabrielle from his home. However, this narrative quickly unraveled. Under pressure from the investigation, Lukehart confessed that the abduction story was a fabrication. He then led authorities to a pond near Normandy Boulevard, where they discovered the child’s body, tragically confirming the worst fears.
As the execution date approaches, this case remains a poignant reminder of the enduring pain of such a loss and the long arm of justice that seeks closure, even decades later.
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According to the arrest report, Lukehart called police that February, reporting that Gabrielle had been abducted from his home by an unknown suspect. During the investigation, Lukehart admitted that he lied about the abduction and led police to her body, which had been thrown in a pond near Normandy Boulevard.
Although initially claiming he had accidentally dropped Gabrielle on her head and disposed of her body in a panic, he testified at trial that he had “forcefully and repeatedly pushed her head and neck to the floor” because she wouldn’t lie flat while he attempted to change her diaper, according to court documents.
The case has faced pushback in appeals from Lockhart’s defense, which previously attempted to have the sentence reduced when Florida required a unanimous death recommendation from a jury for it to be imposed. That requirement was rescinded in 2023, when the state ruled an 8-4 jury recommendation was sufficient. The defense also argued that Lockhart’s use of multiple medications, including an anti-psychotic, during the trial may have caused confusion and made him give false testimony about the manner of Gabrielle’s death.
His death sentence was upheld by the Florida Supreme Court. Lockhart could be executed as soon as June 2, barring a stay of execution order.Â
Six people have been executed in Florida so far in 2026. A record 19 inmates were executed by the state in 2025.