Full Breakdown
Execution of Daniel Owen Conahan Jr. Ends a Decades-Long Murder Case
By Drooid · · How we work
The Execution
On September 10, 2026, Daniel Owen Conahan Jr., 72, was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. ET after a three-drug lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. He gave no final statement. A spiritual adviser was present and eleven victims’ family members witnessed the execution.
Background of the “Hog Trail” Murders
In the mid-1990s investigators uncovered a series of decomposed bodies in swampy, wooded areas of Charlotte County, north of Fort Myers. Victims were typically homeless men found naked, often with rope burns and signs of strangulation.
The case that led to Conahan’s conviction involved Richard Allen Montgomery, whose nude body was found tied to a tree on April 16, 1996. Montgomery’s genitalia had been removed, and police linked the crime to a pattern of offering cash for nude bondage photographs. A surviving victim later described being tied to a tree, assaulted, and nearly strangled by Conahan.
Timeline
- April 16, 1996 – Montgomery kidnapped, bound, and strangled.
- May 31, 1996 – Police search Conahan’s residence and obtain paint samples matching those on Montgomery’s body.
- February 25, 1997 – Conahan indicted on murder, kidnapping and sexual battery charges.
- August 11, 2026 – Governor Ron DeSantis signs Conahan’s death warrant.
- September 10, 2026 – Execution carried out.
Data & Statistics
- Florida carried out 19 executions in 2025, a state record since 1976.
- The 2026 execution of Conahan was the 15th in Florida this year, part of 24 U.S. executions reported for 2026.
- Nationwide, 47 people were executed in 2025; Florida contributed 19 of those deaths.
Official Statements & Responses
The Florida Supreme Court denied Conahan’s final appeals, including a request for additional DNA testing, ruling that even new DNA evidence would not exonerate him. The U.S. Supreme Court also denied a stay of execution on September 10, allowing the lethal injection to proceed. Governor DeSantis framed the execution as part of an effort to provide closure for victims’ families.
Criticism & Opposition
Conahan’s defense argued that the case relied heavily on circumstantial evidence and that key forensic items—DNA from hair, cigarette butts and fingernail clippings—had never linked him to the crime scene. They claimed modern DNA testing could reveal a “reasonable probability” of another perpetrator’s involvement. The attorneys also challenged the credibility of the surviving victim, noting his testimony was given in exchange for parole on an unrelated rape conviction and that his injuries differed from Montgomery’s. The Florida Supreme Court rejected these arguments, stating the DNA samples were collected from an open-field trash site where multiple contributors’ DNA would be expected.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total number of murders potentially linked to the “Hog Trail” killer. Some reports cite at least six victims discovered between 1994 and 1997, while others claim the killer may be responsible for up to 13 murders, including the “Fort Myers Eight” bodies uncovered in 2007. The identities of several Fort Myers victims remain unknown, and law enforcement has publicly identified Conahan only as a “person of interest” in those additional deaths.