A Predator Emerges in Paradise
Palm Beach County, Florida, is often associated with paradise, with its sun-kissed beaches, turquoise waters of the Atlantic, and an abundance of palm trees painting a picture of tropical tranquility. It’s a place where one can expect to escape the harsh realities of the world. However, in the spring of 1984, this serene locale was rocked by a series of horrific events that challenged its very essence.
Duane Owen, a local resident born on February 13, 1961, emerged as a terrifying figure from the shadows of this paradise. At first glance, Owen seemed like an ordinary man, just another face in the crowd. There was nothing particularly ominous about his demeanor that would suggest the dark undercurrents of his personality. But beneath this seemingly innocuous exterior hid a chilling capacity for violence that would soon terrorize the entire community1.
Owen was only 23 years old when he embarked on a deadly rampage that would forever mark him as a grim figure in the annals of Florida’s criminal history. His victims were Karen Slattery, a 14-year-old babysitter, and Georgianna Worden, a 38-year-old single mother. These two women, both leading ordinary lives in this corner of Florida, were pulled into Owen’s world of violence in the most brutal way imaginable.
In March 1984, Owen sexually assaulted and murdered Karen Slattery. Her life was abruptly and tragically cut short, leaving a void in the hearts of her loved ones and sending shockwaves throughout the community. The brutal nature of Slattery’s death was a harrowing reminder of the darkness that had descended upon their paradise.
Just two months later, Owen struck again. This time, his victim was Georgianna Worden. Like Slattery, Worden was sexually assaulted and murdered, her life ended in an equally tragic and horrific manner. Worden’s murder confirmed the community’s worst fears – a serial killer was at large.
The realization that these brutal attacks were conducted by the same person was a chilling revelation for the tranquil community of Palm Beach County. Fear permeated the sunny, beachside locale, transforming the paradise into a hunting ground for a ruthless predator. Duane Owen had effectively shattered the peace and tranquility of Palm Beach County, replacing it with a pervasive sense of dread.
Owen’s arrest came as a relief to the community. The evidence against him was overwhelming, leading to his conviction for the sexual assault and murder of both Slattery and Worden. The court recognized the gravity of his horrific crimes and sentenced him to death. This marked the end of his reign of terror, but it was only the beginning of a lengthy journey through the legal system that would keep the painful memories of Owen’s crimes alive for years to come.
A Legal Battle Begins
Following Duane Owen’s sentencing, the legal drama was far from over. The initial shock and horror of his crimes gave way to a lengthy and complex legal process that spanned nearly four decades. Throughout this period, Owen’s legal team, the families of his victims, and the community at large were forced to grapple with the tragic events of 1984 and their lasting aftermath.
Sentenced to death in 1986, Owen was incarcerated in Union Correctional Institution under maximum custody, with the ominous tag of ‘Death Sentence’ marking his anticipated end. But death row was not to be Owen’s final stop without a fight. His legal team embarked on a mission to overturn the death sentence, sparking a protracted legal battle that would last for years.
Owen’s attorneys challenged his death sentence based on a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court ruling, arguing that Owen’s rights were violated during his trial. They pointed out that the juries in both cases were split 10-2 when recommending death for Owen, and the judges had the final say. The new Florida law, they argued, required a unanimous verdict for the death penalty. “At the end of the day, Mr. Owen was denied his rights in both cases,” attorney James Driscoll argued. “We would ask the court to grant relief in both cases.”
The community reacted with a mixture of emotions. For some, the idea of a potential reprieve for Owen was unbearable. Jane Smith, one of Slattery’s teachers, expressed her disgust at the possibility of Owen escaping the death penalty. “It disgusts me to think that we have to go there,” she said, adding that while executing Owen couldn’t bring back the victims, there needed to be closure for the families.
The legal struggle, however, was far from over. As Owen’s attorneys fought for a potential commutation of his death sentence, the state remained resolute in their stance, describing Owen as a “cowardly, misogynistic bully” who deserved nothing less than the maximum punishment for his heinous crimes. As the battle raged on, the judge left no indication of how or when a final decision would be reached, leaving the families of the victims, as well as the wider community, in a state of suspense and anticipation.
The Final Chapter
The long, arduous road to justice for the families of Karen Slattery and Georgianna Worden came to a close on a Thursday evening in June 2023, nearly four decades after the horrific events that marked their lives forever. On this day, Duane Owen, the man responsible for their loved ones’ deaths, was executed by lethal injection at a correctional facility in Florida.
Despite the numerous appeals and legal maneuvers of his attorneys to overturn his death sentence, the state remained firm in their decision. Owen’s end was met with a sense of finality and solemn closure by those who had been most affected by his heinous crimes. Family members of his victims were present for the execution, bearing witness to the final chapter of a saga that had lasted far too long.
Owen, who had been so cruel and callous in his actions, offered no last words. He declined to make a final statement, leaving a silence that echoed the years of pain and suffering endured by the families of his victims.
After the execution, Debbi Johnson, Slattery’s younger sister who was just ten years old when her older sister was brutally murdered, spoke at a news conference. She stated that Owen “died with dignity, and unfortunately his victims did not.” Her words, heavy with sorrow and years of grief, encapsulated the bitter irony of the moment. The man who had shown such disregard for the lives of others was granted a dignified end, a courtesy he did not extend to his victims.
In the immediate aftermath of Owen’s execution, controversy arose as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) criticized the state of Florida on social media for not providing necessary gender-affirming care to Owen during his decades of incarceration. The ACLU asserted that this denial of gender care had caused Owen “enormous suffering.” This stance sparked backlash online, with critics defending the execution and arguing against portraying Owen as a victim of the justice system. It was also noted that while Owen’s defense team had argued that he suffered from Gender Dysphoria, this was disputed by state psychiatrists1.
The saga of Duane Owen, from the shocking brutality of his crimes, through the drawn-out legal battle, to his final moments, is a chilling tale of the darkness that can reside within human beings. But it is also a story of resilience, of a community’s enduring quest for justice, and of the strength of families who, in the face of unimaginable tragedy, fought tirelessly for their loved ones.
In the aftermath of Owen’s execution, a semblance of closure may finally be attainable. As Debbi Johnson put it, the family may now “close Karen’s book, put it on a shelf, and move forward.” Yet, the memory of Karen Slattery and Georgianna Worden, and the countless lives affected by Owen’s actions, will endure. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the devastation wrought by such acts of violence and the indomitable spirit of those left behind to seek justice.
Deep Lore 