On Thursday, May 15, at 6:16 p.m. local time, Glen Edward Rogers, an American serial killer, faced execution at Florida State Prison near Starke. Dubbed the "Casanova Killer" for his charm and the seductive tactics he used to lure his victims, Rogers was sentenced to death for two murders committed in 1995, although he claimed responsibility for around 70 killings. In his final moments, his words directed at President Donald Trump reignited the controversy that constantly surrounded him. "President Trump, keep making America great. I'm ready to go," he declared.
The Legacy of a Killer: From Charmer to Predator
Rogers, aged 62, was executed by lethal injection after spending nearly three decades on death row. Born in Hamilton, Ohio, his childhood was marred by domestic violence, living in a dysfunctional home where he witnessed constant abuse by his alcoholic father. Early in life, Rogers turned to drugs and alcohol, beginning a criminal career with petty thefts. As an adult, he drifted between jobs—from school bus driver to carnival worker—while weaving a network of violent crimes across at least five states: Florida, California, Ohio, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Also nicknamed the "Cross Country Killer" or the "Transcontinental Killer," his victims were typically women aged 30 to 40 with red hair, whom he met in bars and motels.
The Horrifying Method: Charming Exterior, Brutal Death
Rogers' modus operandi was as systematic as it was horrific. He used his good looks and charisma to gain the trust of vulnerable women. After brief encounters, often culminating in short-lived intimate relationships, he would murder them using violent methods such as stabbing or strangulation. He would then steal personal items from his victims and flee to another state, complicating his capture for years.
One of the two murders that led to his death sentence in Florida involved Tina Marie Cribbs, a 34-year-old mother of two. Rogers met her in a Tampa bar and persuaded her to take him to a motel. She told friends she would return soon, but she never did. Days later, Cribbs' body was discovered stabbed in the bathtub of the room Rogers had rented. Her ring, watch, and car were missing. Rogers was caught a week later driving Cribbs' vehicle in Kentucky.
Another case that resulted in a death sentence in California was that of Sandra Gallagher, also a mother, whom he met in a Van Nuys bar. Her body was found burned in her truck near Rogers' residence the day after they met.
Untried Crimes and Unproven Links
While only convicted for two murders, authorities suspect Rogers may have been involved in at least five homicides. He was even loosely linked to the infamous 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Although his brother claimed in a 2012 documentary that Rogers confessed to these murders, Los Angeles police firmly denied any evidence connecting him to the case.
In addition to his two death sentences, Rogers unsuccessfully attempted to overturn his verdict three times. His lawyers argued in recent days that a liver condition could interact with one of the lethal injection drugs, causing extreme suffering. However, both the Florida Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court rejected this claim.
Families of Victims: Three Decades Awaiting Justice
For the families of Rogers' victims, the execution marked the end of a long-awaited chapter. Mary Dicke, mother of Tina Cribbs, survived brain and lung cancer with the determination to live until she saw her daughter's killer die. Randy Roberson, whose mother Andy Lou Jiles Sutton was murdered, a case that never went to trial in Louisiana, attended the execution seeking peace that justice had long denied. Jerri Vallicella, sister of Sandra Gallagher, was more blunt: "It's been 30 years of nightmares, and I'm ready for it to end."
During the execution, Rogers remained still. A guard shook his shoulders to check his consciousness, but there was no response. He was the fifth inmate executed in Florida this year and the sixteenth in the United States in 2025. Authorities used a combination of three drugs: a sedative, a paralytic, and a heart-stopping agent. In his final statement, he thanked his wife, who had visited him that day, and cryptically added, "In the near future, your questions will be answered."
The next inmate scheduled for execution in Florida is Anthony Wainwright, set for June 10, convicted of kidnapping, rape, and murder.
Understanding Glen Edward Rogers' Execution
Who was Glen Edward Rogers?
Glen Edward Rogers was an American serial killer known as the "Casanova Killer" due to his charm and method of luring victims. He was executed in Florida for two murders but claimed responsibility for around 70 killings.
What crimes was Rogers convicted of?
Rogers was convicted for the murders of Tina Marie Cribbs in Florida and Sandra Gallagher in California. Both were linked to him through evidence and his pattern of meeting victims in bars and motels.
Why were authorities unable to link Rogers to more crimes?
Despite suspicions of involvement in additional homicides, authorities lacked sufficient evidence to conclusively link Rogers to more crimes beyond the two for which he was convicted.