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A serial killer who as a teenager killed five people was executed in Florida after being granted his last meal on Earth.

Frank Athen Walls, 58, was put to death by a three-drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison on Thursday, December 18, for fatally shooting a man and his girlfriend during a home invasion in July 1987.

The U.S. Supreme Court earlier on Thursday denied Walls' request for a stay of execution. He earlier in the day met with one visitor and a spiritual adviser and had a meal of steak, chicken and cheesecake.

Walls apologised in a statement before being put to death.

"Good evening, everyone. I appreciate the opportunity to say what's on my heart. If any of the members of the family are here, I am sorry for all of the things I did, the pain I caused, and all of that you have suffered all these years," said Alex Lanfranconi, a spokesman for Florida Govenor Ron DeSantis, said relying Walls' words.

A total of 47 men have died by court-ordered execution in the U.S. this year and more than a dozen people are scheduled to be put to death next year.

Florida has executed more people than any other state in 2025 and DeSantis has ordered more executions in a single year than any Florida governor since the country reinstated the death penalty in 1976. Florida's previous high was eight executions in 2014.

Walls was convicted for two counts of murder and other charges and sentenced to death in 1988 for the killing of Edward Alger and his girlfriend, Ann Peterson. The Florida Supreme Court reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial, in which Walls was again convicted and sentenced to death in 1992.

AP reported that court records indicate Walls broke into the mobile home of the Eglin Air Force Base airman and his girlfriend and tied the couple up. Alger broke free to attack Walls before Walls cut his throat and shot him in the head. Walls then shot Peterson.

Walls was arrested the day after their bodies were found and he later admitted to the killings.

After the conviction, DNA evidence linked him to the May 1987 rape and killing of a woman, Audrey Gygi to which Walls pleaded no contest. He also admitted responsibility for the killings of Tommie Lou Whiddon in March 1985 and Cynthia Sue Condra in September 1986.