During her lunch breaks at the Miami Herald, Janet Acosta had a peaceful routine. She would drive to a serene park near the Japanese Rock Gardens, park her van under a shade tree, and take time to eat, nap, and recharge. But on April 25, 2000, Michael Tanzi shattered that peace by attacking the 49-year-old Acosta. He repeatedly punched her, tied her up, and took her on a horrifying four-hour ordeal that ended with her rape and murder. When Acosta didn’t return to work, her co-workers grew concerned, sparking a search that ultimately led to the discovery of her body buried over 100 miles away by Tanzi himself.
Acosta, described as a world traveler who loved the outdoors, once ran a marathon with a kidney infection and had a dog named Murphy Brown. Her family shared in court records that she was not only a sister but also a best friend to her younger sister, Julie Andrew. As Florida prepares to execute Tanzi by lethal injection, USA TODAY reflects on the life of Janet Acosta and what made her unique.
Acosta, the middle sister among three, had a close bond with her siblings due to their challenging upbringing with alcoholic parents. She was a caring soul who shared a special relationship with her niece, Jennifer, encouraging her interests and providing support. Acosta’s gentle nature extended beyond her family, as she volunteered with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and had the opportunity to meet former President Jimmy Carter.
On that fateful day in 2000, Tanzi attacked Acosta while she was having lunch in her car. He then took her on a harrowing journey, committing unspeakable acts before ultimately strangling and burying her in a remote location. Tanzi was apprehended by police after using Acosta’s van in Key West, where he had been on a shopping spree following the heinous crime.
After Tanzi confessed to the murder and led authorities to where he had buried Acosta’s body, a mugshot of Michael Tanzi was provided by the Florida Department of Corrections. Co-workers remembered the day of the murder with sadness, recalling the moment when they realized something was wrong as Acosta failed to return to work.
Robin Reiter-Faragalli, who worked as the vice president of human resources at the Miami Herald, shared in an interview with USA TODAY that the atmosphere at the office was somber and disheartened from the start. It was evident to everyone that something had happened to Janet. Acosta’s colleagues spoke fondly of her in the days following her tragic death, describing her as a friendly and creative person who would be greatly missed.
Helen Lennon, a long-time co-worker, cherished the teapots Acosta had made for her and recalled her friendliness and creativity. Another co-worker, Carolyn Green, remembered Acosta as the one who sparked her interest in reading, expressing disbelief that she was gone.
In the years that followed Tanzi’s conviction in 2003, the Acosta family endured profound emotional wounds. Andrew, a family member, described the long and challenging journey towards Tanzi’s execution as a constant reminder of the murder. Despite the pain, the family sought justice for Acosta and hoped to prevent others from experiencing a similar tragedy.
The Miami Herald building in Doral, Florida, is featured in the accompanying image. The path to achieving justice for Acosta was a tumultuous ordeal for her family, marked by various emotional challenges throughout the legal process.
Reporter Fernando Cervantes Jr. covers trending news for USA TODAY. For more information, contact him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @fern_cerv_.
