View source for Oba Chandler

{{short description|American serial killer (1946–2011)}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox criminal
| name              = Oba Chandler
| image_name        = Oba Chandler 1992 mugshot (3x4 cropped).jpg
| image_size        = 
| caption           = Chandler's 1992 mugshot
| birth_date        = {{Birth date|1946|10|11}}
| birth_place       = [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], U.S.
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|2011|11|15|1946|10|11}}
| death_place       = [[Florida State Prison]], [[Raiford, Florida]], U.S.
| death_cause       = [[Execution by lethal injection]]
| alias             = {{plainlist|
*Dave Posner
*Dave Posno
}}
| conviction        = [[First degree murder]] (3 counts)<br>[[Armed robbery]] (2 counts)<br>[[Criminal possession of a weapon|Being a felon in possession of a firearm]]
| conviction_penalty = [[Capital punishment in Florida|Death]] (November 4, 1994)
| victims           = 4
*Ivelisse Berrios{{ndash}}Beguerisse
*Joan "Jo" Rogers
*Michelle Rogers
*Christe Rogers
| occupation        = Aluminum siding contractor
| apprehended       = September 24, 1992
| states            = [[Florida]]
| country           = United States
| years_active      = 1989–1990
}}

'''Oba Chandler''' (October 11, 1946 – November 15, 2011) was an American [[serial killer]] and [[mass murderer]] who was convicted and executed for the June 1989 murders of Joan Rogers and her two daughters, whose bodies were found floating in [[Tampa Bay, Florida]], with their hands and feet bound. [[autopsy|Autopsies]] showed the victims had been thrown into the water while still alive, with ropes tied to a concrete block around their necks. The case became high-profile in 1992 when local police posted [[billboard]]s bearing enlarged images of the suspect's handwriting recovered from a pamphlet in the victims' car. Chandler was identified as the killer when his neighbor recognized the handwriting.

Prior to his arrest, Chandler worked as an unlicensed aluminum-siding contractor. Against the advice of his attorneys, he testified in his own [[defense (law)|defense]], saying he had met the [[Ohio]] women and had given them directions. Chandler said he never saw them again, except in newspaper coverage and on the billboards set up by authorities. Police originally theorized that two men were involved in the murders, but this was discounted once Chandler was arrested. Following his conviction, Chandler was incarcerated at [[Union Correctional Institution]]. During his seventeen years of incarceration until his [[death penalty|execution]], he did not have a single visitor.

Chandler was executed on November 15, 2011. He wrote a last statement to prison officials: "You are killing {{sic|a}} innocent man today". The statement was read at a post-execution news conference. In February 2014, DNA evidence identified Chandler as the murderer of Ivelisse Berrios-Beguerisse, who was found dead in [[Coral Springs, Florida]], on November 27, 1990.

==Early life==

===Background===
Chandler was the fourth of five children born to Oba Chandler Sr. and Margaret Johnson, and was raised in [[Cincinnati, Ohio]]. When he was ten{{nbsp}}years old in June 1957, his father hanged himself in the basement of the family's apartment.<ref name="AD-4p2">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 4: The Tin Man |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/tin_man.2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222185149/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/tin_man.2.html |archive-date=December 22, 2008 |access-date=June 2, 2009 |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |page=2}}</ref> At the funeral, Chandler jumped into his father's open grave as the gravediggers were covering the coffin with dirt.<ref name="AD-4p2"/><ref name="AD-5p3">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 5: Silver Bullet |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/silver.3.html |page=3 |access-date=May 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100227144110/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/silver.3.html |archive-date=February 27, 2010}}</ref> Between May and September 1991{{nsmdns}}concurrent with the police investigation of the Rogers family triple murder{{nsmdns}}Chandler was an [[informant]] for the [[United States Customs|U.S. Customs Bureau's]] [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]] office.<ref name="AD-5p3"/><ref name="SHT-19921002-informant">{{cite news |title=Triple-Murder Suspect Worked as Informant |newspaper=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]] |agency=Associated Press |page=6B |date=October 2, 1992 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ijweAAAAIBAJ&pg=4784,2083889&dq=oba+chandler&hl=en |access-date=February 24, 2010 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ijweAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ib8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=4784,2083889&dq=oba+chandler&hl=en |archivedate=February 20, 2016}}</ref>

===Crimes and incidents===
When Chandler was fourteen, he began stealing cars and was arrested twenty times as a [[juvenile (law)|juvenile]].<ref name="AD-4p2"/> As an adult, he was charged with a variety of crimes, including possession of [[counterfeit]] money, [[loitering]], [[burglary]], [[kidnapping]], and [[armed robbery]].<ref name="11CCoA-OCvJMCC-2006">{{cite web |author=U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals |author-link=United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit |title=Oba Chandler v. James McDonough, Charlie Crist |website=[[FindLaw]] |date=December 18, 2006 |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-11th-circuit/1366213.html |access-date=November 2, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616145638/https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-11th-circuit/1366213.html |archive-date=June 16, 2011}}</ref> He was also accused of [[masturbation|masturbating]] while peeping through a woman's window. In one incident, Chandler and an accomplice broke into a [[Florida]] couple's home, held them at gunpoint, and robbed them. Chandler told his accomplice to tie up the man with speaker wire and took the woman into the bedroom, where he made her strip to her underwear, tied her up, and rubbed the barrel of his [[revolver]] across her stomach.<ref name="AD-5p3"/>

===Murder victims===
[[File:CourtneyCampbell.jpg|thumb|right|[[Courtney Campbell Causeway]] from the Clearwater side of the bridge where the bodies were found]]

On May 26, 1989, Joan "Jo" Rogers, 36, and her daughters{{nsmdns}}Michelle, 17, and Christe, 14{{nsmdns}}left their family dairy farm in [[Willshire, Ohio|Willshire]], [[Ohio]], for a vacation in Florida.<ref name="apnewsarchive.com">{{cite news |title=Community Grieving Over Mysterious Deaths of Three Florida Vacationers |publisher=Associated Press News |date=June 10, 1989 |url=https://apnews.com/9abcbda0d186c7246723c04cb73bcaba |access-date=April 11, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422034658/http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1989/Community-Grieving-Over-Mysterious-Deaths-of-Three-Florida-Vacationers/id-9abcbda0d186c7246723c04cb73bcaba |archive-date=April 22, 2016}}</ref><ref name="TheBlade-19890610-nightmare">{{cite news |last=Saunders |first=Jim |title=Vacation turned into a nightmare |newspaper=[[Toledo Blade |The Blade]] |location=Toledo, Ohio |page=4 |date=June 10, 1989 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WQ4VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BAMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5871,945373&dq=oba+chandler |access-date=August 8, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=WQ4VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BAMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5871,945373&dq=oba+chandler |archive-date=February 20, 2016}}</ref> It was the first time they had left their home state. Authorities believe Joan became lost on June 1 during the return drive from [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] to Willshire, and had decided to take an extra vacation day in Tampa.<ref>{{cite news |title=Infamous killers of Tampa Bay, a region familiar with horror |last1=Sampson |first1=Zachary T. |last2=Gomez |first2=Melissa |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |date=October 20, 2017 |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/Infamous-killers-of-Tampa-Bay-a-region-familiar-with-horror_161842253/ |access-date=November 2, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024100804/https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/infamous-killers-of-tampa-bay-a-region-familiar-with-horror/2341813 |archive-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref> While looking for their hotel they encountered Chandler, who gave them directions and offered to meet them again later to take them on a sunset cruise of [[Tampa Bay]].<ref name="AD-4p2"/> 

Joan and her teenage daughters had left Orlando around 9:00{{nbsp}}a.m.<ref name="AD-1p3">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 1: Sunset |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.3.html |page=3 |access-date=June 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415061927/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.3.html |archive-date=April 15, 2009}}</ref> and checked into the [[Days Inn]] on [[Florida State Road 60|Route 60]] at 12:30{{nbsp}}p.m.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19890625&id=AcUwAAAAIBAJ&pg=1843,4642623 |title=Tourist killings leave police with no leads |access-date=September 22, 2014 |date=June 25, 1989 |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |page=18A |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19890625&id=AcUwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EPwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1843,4642623 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Photographs retrieved from a roll of film found in a camera in the Rogers' hotel room showed Michelle sitting on the floor. The last photograph was taken from the hotel balcony and showed the sun beginning to set over Tampa Bay, confirming that all three family members were alive and had not left their hotel room as the sunset began.<ref name="AD-1p1">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 1: Sunset |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.1.html |page=1 |access-date=December 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924113555/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.1.html |archive-date=September 24, 2008}}</ref> They were last seen alive at the hotel's restaurant at around 7:30{{nbsp}}p.m. It is believed they boarded Chandler's boat by the dock on the [[Courtney Campbell Causeway]]—part of Route 60—between 8:30{{nbsp}}p.m. and 9:00{{nbsp}}p.m., and that they were dead by 3{{nbsp}}a.m. the next day.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19940609&id=NEAxAAAAIBAJ&pg=6813,2144413 |first=Mildred |last=Benson |title=Telephone records link murder suspect to bay |date=June 8, 1994 |newspaper=Toledo Blade |access-date=September 22, 2014 |page=13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19940609&id=NEAxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BQQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6813,2144413 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Chandler may have used the fact that he was born in Ohio to lure them into feeling a connection to him.<ref name="TheBlade-19890610-jolted">{{cite news |last=Saunders |first=Jim |title=One-stoplight town jolted by 3 slayings in Florida |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bkRPAAAAIBAJ&pg=4127,934133&dq=oba+chandler |newspaper=[[Toledo Blade |The Blade]] |location=Toledo, Ohio |page=1 |date=June 10, 1989 |access-date=August 8, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bkRPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BAMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4127,934133&dq=oba+chandler |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Chandler knew Joan and her daughters were not from Florida because he saw the Ohio license plates on their car.<ref name="AD-1p9">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 1: Sunset |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.9.html |page=9 |access-date=July 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121105810/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.9.html |archive-date=January 21, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19890605&id=2-shAAAAIBAJ&pg=7043,7273919 |title=Bodies of 3 Women Found In Tampa Bay |newspaper=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=June 5, 1989 |access-date=September 22, 2014 |page=6BVS |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19890605&id=2-shAAAAIBAJ&sjid=M3oEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7043,7273919 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Sunshine Skyway from Tampa Bay.jpeg|thumb|left|[[Sunshine Skyway]] over Tampa Bay where the first body was found on June 4, 1989]]

The victims' bodies were found floating in Tampa Bay on June 4, 1989.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19890617&id=XHpPAAAAIBAJ&pg=3264,7718691 |newspaper=The Bryan Times |access-date=September 22, 2014 |title=Detectives seek public help in murders |date=June 17, 1989 |volume=41 |number=142 |page=1 |agency=United Press International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19890617&id=XHpPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m1EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3264,7718691 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The first body was found when several people on board a sailboat crossing under the [[Sunshine Skyway]] saw an object in the water.<ref name="SPT-20001103-tries">{{cite news |last=Nealy |first=Jounice L. |title=Killer tries again for new trial |url=http://www.saintpetersburgtimes.com/News/110300/news_pf/TampaBay/Killer_tries_again_fo.shtml |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=November 3, 2000 |access-date=June 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606154839/http://www.saintpetersburgtimes.com/News/110300/news_pf/TampaBay/Killer_tries_again_fo.shtml |archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> The second body was seen floating off the pier in [[St. Petersburg, Florida|St. Petersburg]], {{Convert|2|miles|km|0|spell=in}} north of the first. While the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]] were recovering the second body, a call about a third, which was seen floating {{Convert|200|yards|m|-2}} to the east, was received. All three female bodies were found floating face down, bound with a rope around the neck, and naked below the waist.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.1.html |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 1: Sunset |publisher=St. Petersburg Times |access-date=August 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906002004/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.1.html |archive-date=September 6, 2012}}</ref>

Autopsies showed all three victims had water in their lungs, proving they had been thrown into the water while still alive.<ref name="AD-1p10">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 1: Sunset |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.10.html |page=10 |access-date=July 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122150831/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.10.html |archive-date=January 22, 2010}}</ref> Michelle, who was identified as the second body found, had freed one hand from her bonds before she drowned. The partially dressed state of the three bodies indicated the underlying crime was [[sexual assault]].<ref name="apnewsarchive.com"/><ref name="AD-1p10"/> Ropes with a concrete block at the other end had been tied around the victims' necks to ensure they died from either suffocation or drowning, and that their bodies would never be found.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19890611&id=cjlSAAAAIBAJ&pg=3692,2220092 |title=Community Grieves Over Slain Friends |access-date=September 22, 2014 |newspaper=The Victoria Advocate |date=June 11, 1989 |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=861&dat=19890611&id=cjlSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TzYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3692,2220092 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19940929&id=F0ggAAAAIBAJ&pg=2225,9031727 |title=Man convicted in three drownings |access-date=September 22, 2014 |newspaper=The Tuscaloosa News |date=September 30, 1994 |agency=Associated Press |page=14A |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19940929&id=F0ggAAAAIBAJ&sjid=vaUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2225,9031727 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The bodies, however, bloated as a result of [[human decomposition|decomposition]], and floated to the surface.<ref name="AD-1p10"/><ref name="news.google.com">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19890610&id=BPEvAAAAIBAJ&pg=6010,6259164 |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |access-date=September 22, 2014 |title=Dental records confirm three in bay from Ohio |date=June 10, 1989 |page=8A |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19890610&id=BPEvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=I_0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6010,6259164 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Investigation==
[[File:Rogers body2.jpg|thumb|One of the body bags used at the scene on June 4, 1989]]

The Rogers' bodies underwent decomposition while underwater due to hot weather. Because of this, they were not identified for a week after their remains were located.<ref>Bourdett, Paul, prod. "Water Logged." ''[[Forensic Files]]''. Dir. Michael Jordan. HLN. December 10, 2010. Television</ref>

Joan Rogers and her daughters were not positively identified until a week after their bodies' discovery, by which time Joan's husband and the girls' father, Hal Rogers, had reported them [[missing person|missing]] in Ohio.<ref name="AD-1p12">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 1: Sunset |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.12.html |page=12 |access-date=July 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122150841/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.12.html |archive-date=January 22, 2010}}</ref> On June 8, a housekeeper at the Days Inn said the Rogers family's room had not been disturbed and the beds had not been slept in. The hotel manager contacted the police.<ref name="AD-1p10"/> Fingerprints found in the room were matched to the bodies, and final confirmation of their identities came from dental records.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/chandler1275.htm |website=Office of the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney |title=Oba Chandler #1275: Executed November 15, 2011 04:25 p.m. EST by Lethal Injection in Florida |access-date=March 2, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412225959/http://www.clarkprosecutor.org/html/death/US/chandler1275.htm |archive-date=April 12, 2016}}</ref> Marine researchers at the [[University of South Florida]] estimated from currents and patterns that the victims were thrown from a boat{{nsmdns}}and not from a bridge or dry land{{nsmdns}}between two and five days before they were found. The Rogers' car, a 1984 [[Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais|Oldsmobile Calais]] with Ohio license plates, was found at the boat dock by the Courtney Campbell Causeway.<ref name="AD-1p12"/>

===Facts and arrest===
[[File:Oba Chandler writing.jpg|thumb|The writing on the note written on Joan Rogers's map, which was used to identify Chandler as the killer]]

The case remained unsolved for over three years, partly due to the volume of tips received by police investigators. The biggest tip came from a [[Madeira Beach]] police bulletin that described a similar [[rape]] of a 24-year-old Canadian tourist that occurred two weeks before the Rogers' murders.<ref name="TheBlade-20020926-bitter">{{cite news |last=Lis |first=John |title=Farmer who lost kin bitter about rumours |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iH8UAAAAIBAJ&pg=1820,6814155&dq=oba+chandler |newspaper=The Blade |location=Toledo, Ohio |page=1 |date=September 26, 1992 |access-date=August 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125134513/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iH8UAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UAMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1820,6814155&dq=oba+chandler |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Chandler was arrested for the murders on September 24, 1992.<ref name="SPT-20001103-tries"/><ref name="TheBlade-20020926-bitter"/> His [[handwriting|handwritten]] directions on a brochure found in the Rogers' vehicle and a description of his boat written by Jo Rogers on the brochure were the primary clues that led to his being named a suspect.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19921003&id=FX8UAAAAIBAJ&pg=6386,491918 |newspaper=Toledo Blade |date=October 3, 1992 |title=Prints link suspect to Rogers trio |access-date=September 22, 2014 |page=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125124325/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19921003&id=FX8UAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SQMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6386,491918 |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19920514&id=8ENWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6541,4168717 |newspaper=Gainesville Sun |title=Police think Tampa tourists' killer wrote directions |access-date=September 22, 2014 |page=6A |date=May 14, 1992 |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125131235/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19920514&id=8ENWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=e-oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6541,4168717 |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Local police posted images of Chandler's handwriting on the brochure on [[billboard]]s in the Tampa Bay area, leading to a call from a former neighbor who provided a copy of a work order Chandler had written.<ref name="baltimoresun1992">{{cite news |url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-11-17/news/1992322167_1_billboards-ted-bundy-handwriting |title=Oba Chandler Billboard &#124; Handwriting is on billboard for suspect Far-fetched idea meets with success: Accused murderer is behind bars |agency=Knight-Ridder Newspapers |work=The Baltimore Sun |date=November 17, 1992 |access-date=September 30, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083042/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-11-17/news/1992322167_1_billboards-ted-bundy-handwriting |archive-date=August 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1201683.ece |first1=Jamal |last1=Thalji |first2=Craig |last2=Pittman |title=Oba Chandler's execution stirs emotions for those who sought justice |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=November 14, 2011 |access-date=September 30, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831222140/http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/article1201683.ece |archive-date=August 31, 2012}}</ref> This use of billboards by law enforcement in the US was unusual at the time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-30-mn-260-story.html |last=Clary |first=Mike |title=Billboards Help Police Get Suspect in Triple Murder : Crime: Officers display a handwritten note and map believed used to lure woman and daughters to drownings in Tampa Bay. |date=September 30, 1992 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924114847/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-09-30-mn-260-story.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Through [[graphanalysis|handwriting analysis]], the two samples were matched.<ref name="TheBlade-20020926-bitter"/> A palm print on the brochure was also matched to Chandler, who had sold his boat and left town with his family soon after the billboards appeared.<ref>{{cite web |last=Montaldo |first=Charles |title=Oba Chandler: Florida Death Row Inmate |url=http://crime.about.com/od/deathrow/ig/Florida-Death-Row-Inmates/Oba-Chandler.htm |publisher=[[About.com]] |access-date=June 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322193116/http://crime.about.com/od/deathrow/ig/Florida-Death-Row-Inmates/Oba-Chandler.htm |archive-date=March 22, 2009}}</ref> Police reported that Chandler and his then-wife moved from their home on Dalton Avenue in Tampa to [[Port Orange]] near [[Daytona Beach]].<ref name="TheBlade-20020926-bitter"/>

===Second-suspect theory===
Investigators originally thought two men were involved in the murders of the Rogers family. This theory was used for a reenactment shown in a 1991{{nbsp}}episode of ''Unsolved Mysteries''.<ref name="AD-1p11">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 1: Sunset |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.11.html |page=11 |access-date=June 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225190758/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.11.html |archive-date=February 25, 2008}}</ref> This theory was dismissed when Chandler was arrested. No evidence of a second man{{nsmdns}}other than a former prison cellmate's claim that Chandler said another man, whose identity the cellmate claimed to know but would not reveal{{nsmdns}}has ever surfaced.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19910927&id=B7owAAAAIBAJ&pg=2375,3787786 |newspaper=Lakeland Ledger |title=Alibis eliminate slayings suspects |access-date=September 22, 2014 |page=5B |date=September 27, 1991 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125083733/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=19910927&id=B7owAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K_wDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2375,3787786 |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The second-suspect theory was belied by Chandler's approach of two Canadian female tourists{{nsmdns}}that he was willing to approach multiple potential targets by himself.<ref name="AD-2p4">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 2: Haunted |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/haunted.4.html |page=4 |access-date=June 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824051745/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/haunted.4.html |archive-date=August 24, 2007}}</ref>

Hal Rogers's brother John was also considered a suspect, even though he was serving a prison sentence for the rape of a woman at the time of the murders.<ref name="AD-2p4"/> Police investigating the woman's rape allegation found evidence indicating John had also sexually assaulted Hal's daughter Michelle, although charges involving this assault were later dropped because of her reluctance to testify.<ref name="AD-1p6"/> The ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]'' said John may have planned the murder during a visit to his parents' property near Tampa a month before the murders. Once the police established John could not have hired a [[contract killer]], did not have [[accomplice]]s, and could not have known the timing of his sister-in-law's and nieces' trip, he was dismissed as a suspect.<ref name="apnewsarchive.com"/><ref name="AD-2p4"/>

Hal was also considered a suspect because he had posted [[bail]] for his brother, but he stated in an episode of ''[[On the Case with Paula Zahn]]'' that he posted bail prior to knowing his brother had abused Michelle.<ref name="AD-1p6">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 1: Sunset |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.6.html |page=6 |access-date=April 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301122606/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/sunset.6.html |archive-date=March 1, 2010}}</ref> Hal later said he had promised the family he would post bail and would not renege on his promise.<ref name="news.google.com"/> Investigators from Florida and Ohio also discovered Hal had withdrawn US$7,000 from his bank account at the time of the disappearance,<ref name="AD-2p4"/> which he was able to account for. He had planned to use it to look for his wife and daughters before he was notified of their deaths. Investigations proved conclusively Hal had not left Ohio during that period.<ref name="AD-1p11"/> The assaults of Michelle Rogers by her uncle and gossip by local people was one of the reasons for the Florida trip; Joan and her daughters wanted to distance themselves from the incident.<ref name="AD-1p6"/>

==Trial==

===Chandler's testimony===
At his trial in [[Clearwater, Florida]], Chandler said he met Joan, Michelle, and Christe Rogers and gave them directions but he never saw them again except in newspaper coverage and on billboards.<ref name="TheBlade-19940922-Chandler">{{cite news |last=Allen Jr. |first=Eddie B. |title=Chandler |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lIAUAAAAIBAJ&pg=6719,6037974&dq=oba+chandler |newspaper=The Blade |location=Toledo, Ohio |page=6 |date=September 22, 1994 |access-date=September 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125130430/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lIAUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WwMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6719,6037974&dq=oba+chandler |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BRN-19940920-testify">{{cite news |title=Accused triple killer will testify |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2s0PAAAAIBAJ&pg=5742,2916628&dq=oba+chandler |newspaper=[[Boca Raton News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |page=2B |date=September 20, 1994 |access-date=August 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125120324/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2s0PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PY0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5742,2916628&dq=oba+chandler |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> He acknowledged he was in Tampa Bay that night{{nsmdns}}the police had evidence of three ship-to-shore telephone calls made from his boat to his home during the time frame of the murders{{nsmdns}}but Chandler maintained he was fishing alone. He said he had returned home late because his engine would not start, which he attributed to a gas line leak.<ref name="TheBlade-19940922-Chandler"/> He also said he had called the Coast Guard and the [[water police|Florida Marine Patrol]], and had flagged down a patrol boat, but both were too busy to help.<ref name="BRN-19940920-testify"/> He said he subsequently fixed the line with duct tape and returned safely to shore.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/51853704.html?dids=51853704:51853704&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+03,+1994&author=CRAIG+PITTMAN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=Prosecutors%3A+Chandler%27s+talk+is+his+undoing&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131214654/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/51853704.html?dids=51853704:51853704&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+03,+1994&author=CRAIG+PITTMAN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=Prosecutors:+Chandler's+talk+is+his+undoing&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |title=Prosecutors: Chandler's talk is his undoing |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |access-date=June 26, 2009 |last=Pittman |first=Craig |date=August 3, 1994}} </ref>

There were, however, no records of [[distress call]]s from Chandler to either the Coast Guard or the Marine Patrol that night, nor were there any Coast Guard boats on the bay the following morning that could have helped him.<ref name="SPT-20001103-tries"/> According to a boat mechanic who testified for the [[prosecution]], Chandler's explanation of repairing the boat's alleged gas leak was not tenable because the fuel lines in his boat{{nsmdns}}a [[Bayliner]]{{nsmdns}}were directed upward.<ref name="TheBlade-19940922-Chandler"/> A leak would have sprayed fuel into the air rather than into the boat and the gasoline would have dissolved the adhesive of the duct tape Chandler maintained he had used to repair a leak.<ref name="SPT-20001103-tries"/> Under questioning from [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas County]] prosecutor Douglas Crow, Chandler then said he could not remember.<ref name="TheBlade-19940922-Chandler"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/51853704.html?dids=51853704:51853704&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+03,+1994&author=CRAIG+PITTMAN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=Prosecutors%3A+Chandler%27s+talk+is+his+undoing&pqatl=google |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131214654/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/51853704.html?dids=51853704:51853704&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+03,+1994&author=CRAIG+PITTMAN&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=Prosecutors:+Chandler's+talk+is+his+undoing&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |title=Prosecutors%3A Chandler%27s talk is his undoing |first=Craig |last=Pittman |work=Tampa Bay Times |publisher=Pqasb.pqarchiver.com |date=August 3, 1994 |access-date=August 26, 2012}}{{subscription required}} </ref>

===Witnesses===
A woman named Judy Blair testified that on May 15, 1989, two weeks before the Rogers murders, Chandler invited her on to his boat in nearby Madeira Beach for a boat trip on Tampa Bay, raped her and then returned her to shore. Blair had been with her friend Barbara Mottram, who refused Chandler's offer to join them on the boat. After Blair was raped, she told the court she returned to her hotel room where Mottram was waiting. Chandler was not charged with this crime, initially because his identity was not known, and, after the murder trial, to prevent Blair from having to recount the ordeal again.<ref name="SCoF-OCvSoF-2003">{{cite web |author=Supreme Court of Florida |author-link=Supreme Court of Florida |date=April 17, 2003 |title=Oba Chandler v. State of Florida |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-supreme-court/1008575.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616145739/https://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-supreme-court/1008575.html |archive-date=June 16, 2011 |access-date=June 25, 2009 |work=FindLaw}}</ref> Blair testified during Chandler's murder trial to help establish his pattern of attack and show the similarities between the two crimes.

Blair stated that Chandler, on May 14, had given his name as Dave Posner or Dave Posno when the three first met at a convenience store in Tampa.<ref name="SCoF-OCvSoF-2003"/> He told Blair and Mottram he was in the aluminum-siding contracting business, which later helped lead investigators to him.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Douglas |first1=John |last2=Olshaker |first2=Mark |author-link1=John E. Douglas |title=Mindhunter |date=1995 |publisher=Random House |location=London, UK |isbn=978-0-09-943567-9 |pages=317–318 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aw5j1mpeTFYC |access-date=November 5, 2015}}</ref> It also inspired the name of the investigation; "Operation Tin Man".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/watching-oba-chandler-die-brings-relief-but-no-justice-for-tormented/1201925 |title=Watching Oba Chandler die brings relief, but no justice for tormented husband and father |work=Tampa Bay Times |first=Thomas |last=French |date=November 15, 2011 |access-date=July 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105103609/http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/watching-oba-chandler-die-brings-relief-but-no-justice-for-tormented/1201925 |archive-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref> The facial composite produced from Blair's description was posted on the billboards along with the handwriting samples.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19891104&id=zkpWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6779,1068738 |agency=Associated Press |date=November 4, 1989 |page=4B |newspaper=Gainesville Sun |title=Man, boat sought in triple homicide of mom, daughters |access-date=September 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19891104&id=zkpWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=N-oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6779,1068738 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-supreme-court/1008575.html |title=CHANDLER v. STATE, No. SC01-1468., April 17, 2003 |publisher=Florida Supreme Court |access-date=August 26, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928065426/https://caselaw.findlaw.com/fl-supreme-court/1008575.html |archive-date=September 28, 2012}}</ref>

A former employee of Chandler's testified that he bragged about dating three women on the bay on the night of the murders, and that the next morning he arrived by boat and delivered materials for a job and immediately set out again.<ref name="TampaBay.com-spent-years">{{cite news |last1=Farlow |first1=Rita |title=Detective in Oba Chandler case spent years working to find killer |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/detective-in-oba-chandler-case-spent-years-working-to-find-killer/1196538 |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=October 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014042401/http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/detective-in-oba-chandler-case-spent-years-working-to-find-killer/1196538 |archive-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref> In an attempt to establish Chandler's whereabouts on that night, investigators found records of several ship-to-shore telephone calls made from his boat to his home between 1:00{{nbsp}}a.m. and 5:00{{nbsp}}a.m., which may have been attempts to explain his absence to his wife<ref name="OSB-19940921-identifies">{{cite news |title=Man identifies slain wife, daughters |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19940921&id=scgTAAAAIBAJ&pg=5272,76800&dq=oba+chandler |newspaper=[[Ocala Star-Banner]] |agency=Associated Press |page=3B |date=September 21, 1994 |access-date=September 26, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124235547/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19940921&id=scgTAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tAcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5272,76800&dq=oba+chandler |archive-date=January 24, 2013}}</ref> and to provide himself with an [[alibi]] for the time of the murders. Chandler's daughter Kristal Sue Mays testified that her father had talked about killing three women and that he was afraid to return to Tampa; her husband Rick testified that he did not recall this conversation, but did remember that Chandler admitted to raping women in the Madeira Beach area, and that he had said one of them "got away".<ref name="TheBlade-19940922-implicates">{{cite news |last=Allen Jr. |first=Eddie B. |title=Testimony implicates Chandler |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ekExAAAAIBAJ&pg=4539,6017981&dq=oba+chandler |newspaper=The Blade |location=Toledo, Ohio |page=1 |date=September 22, 1994 |access-date=September 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125091208/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ekExAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WwMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4539,6017981&dq=oba+chandler |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> A woman who worked as a maid at the Days Inn said she walked past Chandler on June 1 as she was going to the Rogers' room for room service. She said she did not realize the significance of this sighting until Chandler's arrest in 1992; this sighting has never been confirmed.<ref name="SCoF-OCvSoF-2003"/> Michelle Rogers' boyfriend and Hal Rogers also gave evidence during trial.<ref name="TheBlade-19940922-implicates"/>

===Sentence and aftermath===
Joan, Michelle, and Christe Rogers were buried in their hometown on June 13, 1989, after a funeral service attended by about 300{{nbsp}}family members and friends.<ref name="TheBlade-19900601-haunts">{{cite news |last=Carr |first=Donald D. |title=Triple murder still haunts the small town of Willshire |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rw8VAAAAIBAJ&pg=1751,4218&dq=joan+michelle+christe+rogers |newspaper=The Blade |location=Toledo, Ohio |page=1 |date=June 1, 1990 |access-date=February 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rw8VAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CwMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1751,4218&dq=joan+michelle+christe+rogers |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GainesvilleSun-19890614-buried">{{cite news |last=Weiss |first=Mitch |title=Murder victims buried in Ohio |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rOYxAAAAIBAJ&dq=tampa+bay+murder+victims+joan+rogers+funeral&pg=6717,4983211 |newspaper=[[Gainesville Sun]] |page=3B |date=June 14, 1989 |access-date=January 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rOYxAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MOoDAAAAIBAJ&dq=tampa+bay+murder+victims+joan+rogers+funeral&pg=6717,4983211 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Numerous police officers were present to keep reporters and television crews out of the church during the service.<ref name="GainesvilleSun-19890614-buried"/>

Chandler was found guilty of the murders and was [[death penalty|sentenced to death]] on November 4, 1994.<ref name="NYTimes-19941001-guilty">{{cite news |title=Man Found Guilty of Killing 3 Tourists |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE3DA1439F932A35753C1A962958260 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |agency=Associated Press |date=October 1, 1994 |access-date=February 25, 2009 |archive-date=August 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827160414/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/01/us/man-found-guilty-of-killing-3-tourists.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BRN-19941105-sentences">{{cite news |title=Chandler gets three death sentences in Bay slayings |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kd8PAAAAIBAJ&pg=6740,1676412&dq=oba+chandler |newspaper=Boca Raton News |agency=Associated Press |page=5B |date=November 5, 1994 |access-date=June 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kd8PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t40DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6740,1676412&dq=oba+chandler |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AD-7p2">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 7: The Magic Kingdom |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/magic.2.html |page=2 |access-date=September 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124192128/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/magic.2.html |archive-date=January 24, 2010}}</ref> He maintained his innocence and continued to pursue legal [[appeal]]s while on Florida's [[death row]].<ref name="TheBlade-19920926-slain">{{cite news |last=Lis |first=John |title=Slain family |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iH8UAAAAIBAJ&pg=6901,6828449&dq=oba+chandler |newspaper=The Blade |location=Toledo, Ohio |page=5 |date=September 26, 1992 |access-date=July 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iH8UAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UAMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6901,6828449&dq=oba+chandler |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> He admitted to the Madeira Beach incident but said the sex was consensual and that the victim had changed her mind during the act. Because Chandler had already been sentenced to death for the Rogers murders and because prosecutors did not want to subject Blair to the emotional trauma of a rape trial, he was never prosecuted for her rape.<ref name="NYTimes-19941001-guilty"/>

[[File:UnionCIRaifordFL.jpg|thumb|right|[[Union Correctional Institution]] where Chandler served his prison sentence]]

Chandler awaited execution of his sentence at the [[Union Correctional Institution]].<ref name="SPT-20010629-rejects">{{cite news |title=Judge rejects killer's appeal |url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/062901/news_pf/SouthPinellas/Judge_rejects_killer_.shtml |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=June 29, 2001 |access-date=June 5, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212955/http://www.sptimes.com/News/062901/news_pf/SouthPinellas/Judge_rejects_killer_.shtml |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Shortly after the trial and conviction, his wife Debra filed for [[divorce]] and their marriage was dissolved a year later. Chandler was no longer allowed to see his daughter Whitney and in accordance with his ex-wife's wishes, he was not allowed to see later photographs of her.<ref name="AD-7p6">{{cite news |last=French |first=Thomas |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |title=Angels & Demons Chapter 7: The Magic Kingdom |url=http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/magic.6.html |page=6 |access-date=June 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403042225/http://www2.sptimes.com/Angels_Demons/magic.6.html |archive-date=April 3, 2009}}</ref> In July 2008, Chandler was on Florida's short list of executions.<ref name="SPT-20080703-list">{{cite news |title=5 bay area killers on short list for execution |url=http://tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article657533.ece |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=July 3, 2008 |access-date=July 31, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730041512/http://tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/article657533.ece |archive-date=July 30, 2008}}</ref>

[[Criminal profiling|Profiling]] experts speculated Chandler may have killed previously, based on the belief that a first-time killer would not be experienced or bold enough to abduct and kill three women at once. Chandler remained a suspect in the 1982 murder of a woman whose body was found floating off [[Anna Maria Island]]<ref name="SPT-20010622-specter">{{cite news |last=Brassfield |first=Mike |title=Body raises specter of notorious case |url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/062201/SouthPinellas/Body_raises_specter_o.shtml |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=June 22, 2001 |access-date=November 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924143324/http://www.sptimes.com/News/062201/SouthPinellas/Body_raises_specter_o.shtml |archive-date=September 24, 2008}}</ref> until 2011, when the body was identified as 29-year-old Amy Hurst and her husband William was arrested and charged with her murder,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tbo.com/pasco-county/almost--decades-later-arrest-made-in-homicide-259581 |title=Almost 3 decades later, arrest made in homicide |first=Todd |last=Leskanic |work=The Tampa Tribune |date=September 22, 2011 |access-date=July 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927085211/http://tbo.com/pasco-county/almost--decades-later-arrest-made-in-homicide-259581 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and was sentenced to life in prison on April 4, 2011.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://patch.com/florida/newportrichey/william-hurst-gets-life-in-wife-s-1982-death |title=William Hurst Gets Life in Wife's 1982 Death |first=Sherri |last=Lonon |work=Patch |date=April 7, 2013 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519065012/https://patch.com/florida/newportrichey/william-hurst-gets-life-in-wife-s-1982-death |url-status=live}}</ref> Chandler was never charged with another murder.<ref name="FCCC-status">{{cite news|access-date=November 26, 2010 |archive-date=December 18, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218034611/http://www.floridacapitalcases.state.fl.us/case_updates/Htm/056979.htm |date=August 25, 2009 |title=Oba Chandler inmate status |url=http://www.floridacapitalcases.state.fl.us/case_updates/Htm/056979.htm |work=Florida Commission on Capital Cases}}</ref> All of his appeals of his 1994 conviction were denied; his last was in May 2007.<ref name="SHT-20030418-loses">{{cite news |title=Condemned killer, who dumped 3 bodies in bay, loses appeal |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I_MeAAAAIBAJ&dq=oba+chandler+appeal&pg=6881,2813468 |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |agency=Associated Press |date=April 18, 2003 |access-date=January 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125133940/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=I_MeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9YQEAAAAIBAJ&dq=oba+chandler+appeal&pg=6881,2813468 |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

After his conviction, Chandler was named by media as one of Florida's most notorious criminals.<ref name="TheLedger-19941228">{{cite news |last=Word |first=Ron |title=Florida sends notorious criminals to death row in 1994 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ahATAAAAIBAJ&pg=6993,4822919&dq=oba+chandler |newspaper=[[The Ledger]] |location=Lakeland, Florida |page=8B |date=December 28, 1994 |access-date=August 14, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ahATAAAAIBAJ&sjid=E_0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6993,4822919&dq=oba+chandler |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> He said his last words before his execution would be, "Kiss my rosy red ass".<ref name="TDBNJ-19950220-defiant">{{cite news |title=Killer chooses defiant last words for execution day |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NqgtAAAAIBAJ&pg=3195,2406321&dq=oba+chandler+defiant |newspaper=The Daytona Beach News-Journal |date=February 20, 1995 |access-date=February 24, 2010 |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NqgtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=adMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3195,2406321&dq=oba+chandler+defiant |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2011, comparisons were drawn between Chandler's case and trial in 1994, and the [[Death of Caylee Anthony|murder case of Caylee Anthony]]. In both cases, heightened media attention forced the [[jury selection|selection of jurors]] who lived outside the county where the crime had been committed. One of the jurors in Chandler's 1994 trial said, "He scared some of the jurors when he would sit there and stare at you and have that stupid grin on his face. He would make your skin crawl."<ref name="autogenerated2">{{cite news |last=Shaw |first=Rob |date=May 23, 2011 |title=Long before Casey Anthony, Pinellas was the one importing a jury |url=http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/may/23/long-before-casey-anthony-pinellas-was-the-one-imp-ar-209292/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009124652/http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/may/23/long-before-casey-anthony-pinellas-was-the-one-imp-ar-209292/ |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |access-date=May 24, 2011 |work=The Tampa Tribune}}</ref>

Judge Susan F. Schaeffer, who presided over the 1994 trial and ultimately sentenced Chandler<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/retired-pinellas-circuit-judge-susan-f-schaeffer-dies-at-73/2272902/ |title=Retired Pinellas Circuit Judge Susan F. Schaeffer dies at 73 |work=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=April 17, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160415143227/http://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/retired-pinellas-circuit-judge-susan-f-schaeffer-dies-at-73/2272902 |archive-date=April 15, 2016 |date=April 12, 2016 |first1=Claire |last1=McNeill |first2=Tony |last2=Marrero}}</ref> described him in a 2011 interview as "a man with no soul". She said, "It's the worst case as far as factually, and as far as a defendant without saving grace, that I ever handled. And I represented plenty of people who were not necessarily good people."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/judge-susan-schaeffer-recalls-oba-chandler-as-a-man-with-no-soul/1202196 |title=Judge Susan Schaeffer recalls Oba Chandler as a man with no soul |work=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=March 2, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505203520/http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/judge-susan-schaeffer-recalls-oba-chandler-as-a-man-with-no-soul/1202196 |archive-date=May 5, 2016 |last=Carlton |first=Sue}}</ref>

==Execution==
[[File:Oba Chandler.jpg|thumb|Prison mugshot of Chandler]]
On October 10, 2011, [[Governor of Florida|Governor]] [[Rick Scott]] signed Chandler's [[death warrant]]. His execution was set for November 15, 2011, at 4:00{{nbsp}}p.m.<ref name="Fineout/Wane.com"/><ref name="thalji1">{{cite news |last=Thalji |first=Jamal |title=Oba Chandler execution set |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/gov-rick-scott-signs-death-warrant-signed-for-oba-chandler-killer-of-ohio/1196162 |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |access-date=March 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012185334/http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/gov-rick-scott-signs-death-warrant-signed-for-oba-chandler-killer-of-ohio/1196162 |archive-date=October 12, 2011}}</ref> His lawyer Baya Harrison said Chandler asked him not to file any frivolous appeals to keep him alive. Harrison said:<blockquote> He is not putting a lot of pressure on me to go running around at the end to find some magic way out. He is not going to make a scene. He's not going to bemoan the legal system. What he has told me is this: if there is some legal way that I can find to try to prevent him from being executed, he would like me to do what I reasonably can.<ref name="Fineout/Wane.com">{{cite news |last1=Fineout |first1=Gary |first2=Brendan |last2=Farrington |title=Oba Chandler execution date set for November |url=http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/oba-chandler-execution-date-set-for-november |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012215638/http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/oba-chandler-execution-date-set-for-november |archive-date=October 12, 2011 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Wane.com |access-date=March 31, 2013}}</ref></blockquote> Harrison also said Chandler suffered from high blood pressure, [[coronary artery disease]], problems with his kidneys, and [[arthritis]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Thalji |first=Jamal |title=Hal Rogers unsure if he will witness Oba Chandler execution |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/hal-rogers-unsure-if-he-will-witness-oba-chandler-execution/1196384 |date=October 11, 2011 |work=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=July 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703012651/http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/hal-rogers-unsure-if-he-will-witness-oba-chandler-execution/1196384 |archive-date=July 3, 2013}}</ref>

On October 12, 2011, Harrison said although he was preparing to file a motion regarding the violation of his client's [[Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fifth]] and [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth Amendment]] rights in the case, he was unsure whether Chandler was willing to travel to Clearwater for the court hearing or would agree to the filing of the motion. "He hates coming down to Clearwater. He doesn't like the ride and he's not well", Harrison said.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/triple-murderer-oba-chandler-may-not-come-to-pinellas-hearing-on-his/1196435 |title=Triple murderer Oba Chandler may not come to Pinellas hearing on his execution |first=Curtis |last=Krueger |work=The Tampa Tribune |date=October 12, 2011 |access-date=October 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111014073232/http://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/criminal/triple-murderer-oba-chandler-may-not-come-to-pinellas-hearing-on-his/1196435 |archive-date=October 14, 2011}}</ref> On October 18, Harrison filed a motion against the execution on grounds that the way Florida imposes the death penalty is unconstitutional. A jury may recommend a life sentence or a death sentence, but under Florida law, the judge makes the final decision. A hearing on Chandler's motion was set for October 21 at 1:00{{nbsp}}pm; Chandler did not attend.<ref name="myfoxtampabay1">{{cite news |last=Arja |first=Tanya |date=October 19, 2011 |title=Chandler appeals execution, cites recent ruling |url=http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/18024004/chandler-appeals-execution-cites-recent-ruling |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230024003/http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/18024004/chandler-appeals-execution-cites-recent-ruling |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |access-date=October 19, 2011 |publisher=MyFoxTampaBay}}</ref> On October 24, Chandler's appeal was rejected because he had already filed an appeal to the [[Florida Supreme Court]] prior to the decision.<ref name="tampabay2">{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/oba-chandlers-last-appeal-rejected-by-pinellas-judge-next-stop-is-florida/1198335 |title=Oba Chandler's last appeal rejected by Pinellas judge; next stop is Florida Supreme Court |first=Jamal |last=Thalji |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=October 24, 2011 |access-date=October 24, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027191432/http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/oba-chandlers-last-appeal-rejected-by-pinellas-judge-next-stop-is-florida/1198335 |archive-date=October 27, 2011}}</ref> Although the Florida Supreme Court initially scheduled Chandler's appeal to be heard on November 9, 2011, they later cancelled oral argument.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://onlinedocketssc.flcourts.org/DocketResults/LTCases?CaseNumber=2055&CaseYear=2011 |title=- Florida Supreme Court Docket |access-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129031230/http://onlinedocketssc.flcourts.org/DocketResults/LTCases?CaseNumber=2055&CaseYear=2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> On November 7, 2011, the Florida Supreme Court denied Chandler's appeal of his death sentences and death warrant.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/content/download/322150/opinion/sc11-2055.pdf |title=Court verdict. SC11-2055 Order |website=supremecourt.flcourts.gov |access-date=6 March 2023 |archive-date=January 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124043043/https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/content/download/322150/opinion/sc11-2055.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> The Florida Supreme Court had upheld Chandler's death sentence in 1997 and 2003.<ref name="tampabay2"/> Chandler's subsequent petition to the United States Supreme Court was also denied.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docketfiles/11-7307.htm |title=Search - Supreme Court of the United States |access-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-date=November 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221129031224/https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docketfiles/11-7307.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 15 at 4:08{{nbsp}}pm Chandler was executed by [[lethal injection]] at [[Florida State Prison]] in [[Raiford, Florida|Raiford]].<ref name="burrage1">{{cite news |last=Burrage |first=Gregg |title=Death penalty dealt to infamous Tampa Bay rapist and killer Oba Chandler |url=http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_north_pinellas/clearwater/death-penalty-dealt-to-infamous-tampa-bay-rapist-and-killer-oba-chandler |work=ABC Action News |publisher=The E.W. Scripps Company |date=November 15, 2011 |access-date=July 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118145935/http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_north_pinellas/clearwater/death-penalty-dealt-to-infamous-tampa-bay-rapist-and-killer-oba-chandler |archive-date=January 18, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/crime/minute-by-minute-account-of-the-execution-of-oba-chandler |title=Minute by minute account of the execution of Oba Chandler |work=ABC Action News |publisher=The E.W. Scripps Company |date=November 16, 2011 |access-date=July 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119134643/http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/crime/minute-by-minute-account-of-the-execution-of-oba-chandler |archive-date=November 19, 2011}}</ref> Chandler declined to make a last statement before being executed<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-executions-idUSTRE7AE2LH20111115 |title=Florida and Ohio execute men over two triple murders |work=Reuters |last1=Peltier |first1=Michael |last2=Leckrone |first2=Jim |date=November 16, 2011 |access-date=January 14, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108012839/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/15/us-usa-executions-idUSTRE7AE2LH20111115 |archive-date=January 8, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> but left a written statement with prison officials: "You are killing a (''[[sic]]'') innocent man today."<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news |last=Shaw|first=Rob |title=Chandler's daughter wanted to say goodbye |url=http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/nov/27/3/menewso17-dead-killers-daughter-would-like-final-g-ar-327630/ |work=The Tampa Tribune |date=November 27, 2011 |access-date=March 31, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231071153/http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/nov/27/3/menewso17-dead-killers-daughter-would-like-final-g-ar-327630/
|archive-date=December 31, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=2011: Oba Chandler |url=http://www.executedtoday.com/2012/11/15/2011-oba-chandler/ |publisher=Executedtoday.com |first=Meaghan |last=Good |date=November 15, 2012 |access-date=March 31, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402001439/http://www.executedtoday.com/2012/11/15/2011-oba-chandler/ |archive-date=April 2, 2013}}</ref> Shortly after signing Chandler's death warrant, Governor Scott said; "[Chandler] killed three women, so I looked through different cases, and it made sense to do that one. There's never one thing. It was the right case."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sanders |first1=Katie |title=Scott on signing Oba Chandler's death warrant: "It was the right case." |url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/scott-signing-oba-chandlers-death-warrant-it-was-right-case |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=March 2, 2017 |access-date=July 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303051302/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/scott-signing-oba-chandlers-death-warrant-it-was-right-case |archive-date=March 3, 2017}}</ref>

Chandler's daughter Valerie Troxell said in an interview after the execution; "I believe they did execute an innocent man. I don't think my father alone could have pulled off such a heinous crime. It would have to have been more than one person{{nbsp}}... The palm print would prove he did meet them and gave them directions, but it didn't mean he killed them. I think the prosecution had a very weak case."<ref name="autogenerated1"/> Troxell also said she had sent a letter to Governor Scott asking him to [[commutation (law)|commute]] Chandler's sentence to [[life imprisonment]]. Chandler's son Jeff said; "I truly believe he was tried and convicted by the media long before he went to trial. The media can pretty much convict you. I don't think he got a fair trial." After his execution, Chandler was described as the "loneliest man in the loneliest place on earth, death row"; he did not receive a single visitor during his years in Florida's death row unit.<ref name="autogenerated1989">{{cite news |last=Shaw |first=Rob |date=November 13, 2011 |title=Tuesday execution could bring end to 1989 triple killings case |url=http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/nov/13/tuesday-execution-could-bring-end-to-1989-triple-k-ar-302776/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216182706/http://www2.tbo.com/news/breaking-news/2011/nov/13/tuesday-execution-could-bring-end-to-1989-triple-k-ar-302776/ |archive-date=December 16, 2011 |access-date=September 30, 2012 |work=TBO.com/ The Tampa Tribune}}</ref> Another of Chandler's daughters, Suzette, said her father was a monster who got what he deserved.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20111115/news/604189000/OS/ |title=Chandler executed for 1989 triple murders |date=November 15, 2011 |publisher=OcalaStarBanner.com |access-date=October 27, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027173840/https://www.ocala.com/article/LK/20111115/news/604189000/OS/ |archive-date=October 27, 2019 |first=Chad |last=Smith}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Oba Chandler Executed, Denied Murders to the End |website=WCJB TV-20 |date=November 15, 2011 |url=http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2011/11/oba-chandler-executed-denied-murders-end |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518102618/http://www.wcjb.com/local-news/2011/11/oba-chandler-executed-denied-murders-end |archive-date=May 18, 2015}}</ref>

=={{anchor|Coral Springs Murder}}Coral Springs murder==
On February 25, 2014, investigators revealed that [[DNA]] evidence identified Chandler as the murderer of 20-year-old Ivelisse Berrios-Beguerisse, who was raped and [[strangulation|strangled]] in [[Coral Springs, Florida]], on November 27, 1990.<ref>{{cite news |title=Florida police crack 23-year-old strangulation case with DNA testing |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=February 25, 2014 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-police-crack-23-year-old-strangulation-case-with-dna-testing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127104236/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/02/25/florida-police-solve-23-year-old-cold-case-murder/ |archive-date=November 27, 2015}}</ref>

Berrios-Beguerisse, a 20-year-old newlywed, was last seen at Sawgrass Mills Mall where she worked at a sporting goods store. When she did not return home, her husband went to the mall and found her car, a 1985 [[Ford Tempo]], with the tires slashed. It is believed Chandler, after watching the victim for two days, slashed the tires, arrived in the guise of a helpful stranger, and offered to help. Three hours after she was reported missing, her body was found under a residential mailbox in a local neighborhood by two men returning from a fishing trip.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/02/24/coral-springs-23-year-old-cold-case-solved |title=Coral Springs PD: Cold Case Solved, DNA Points To Executed Man As Killer |publisher=CBS Miami |date=February 24, 2014 |access-date=August 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819195252/http://miami.cbslocal.com/2014/02/24/coral-springs-23-year-old-cold-case-solved/ |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |first=Carey |last=Codd}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Roustan |first=Wayne |title=Davie woman's 1990 slaying linked to executed killer |newspaper=Sun Sentinel |date=February 25, 2014 |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/fl-coral-springs-cold-case-20140224,0,2441005.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301144642/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/fl-coral-springs-cold-case-20140224,0,2441005.story |archive-date=March 1, 2014 |access-date=February 25, 2014}}</ref>

Berrios-Beguerisse's body was naked and had ligature marks on both wrists and legs, and brown tape stuck to her hair.<ref name="wsvn.com">{{cite news |title=Coral Springs PD solve 23-year-old cold case |newspaper=7 News |date=February 25, 2014 |url=http://www.wsvn.com/story/24808332/coral-springs-pd-solve-23-year-old-cold-case |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302183041/http://www.wsvn.com/story/24808332/coral-springs-pd-solve-23-year-old-cold-case |archive-date=March 2, 2014}}</ref> The case is considered solved and closed according to police. Law enforcement agencies across Florida investigated other [[cold case]]s in areas Chandler was known to have resided.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/police-oba-chandlers-dna-links-him-to-1990-south-florida-murder/2167262/ |title=Police: Notorious killer Oba Chandler's DNA links him to 1990 South Florida murder |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=February 25, 2014 |access-date=August 18, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719134306/http://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/crime/police-oba-chandlers-dna-links-him-to-1990-south-florida-murder/2167262 |archive-date=July 19, 2014 |first=William R. |last=Levesque}}</ref>

==Media coverage==
The [[Discovery Channel]] devoted a one-hour episode of its series ''Scene of the Crime'', titled "The Tin Man", to the murder of the Rogers family.<ref name="LocateTV">{{cite web |title=Scene of the Crime, season 1, episode 8: The Tin Man |url=http://www.locatetv.com/tv/scene-of-the-crime/season-1/1840894 |publisher=LocateTV.com |access-date=November 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111207001921/http://www.locatetv.com/tv/scene-of-the-crime/season-1/1840894 |archive-date=December 7, 2011}}</ref> In 1997, a series of articles titled "Angels & Demons", written by [[Thomas French]] {{ndash}} which told the story of the murders, the capture and conviction of Chandler, and the impact of the crimes on the Rogers' family and their community in Ohio {{ndash}} was published in the ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/8731.html |title=Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas French returning to teach at the IU School of Journalism |publisher=Indiana University School of Journalism |date=August 28, 2008 |access-date=October 12, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027210819/http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/8731.html |archive-date=October 27, 2011}}</ref> The series won a [[1998 Pulitzer Prize]] [[Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing|for Feature Writing]].<ref name="AD-5p3"/>

The Rogers murders were featured in a 1991 episode of ''Unsolved Mysteries'', which speculated that there were two attackers.<ref name="AD-5p3"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19911105&id=8cNaAAAAIBAJ&pg=3519,5376591 |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |access-date=September 22, 2014 |title=Mystery of three bodies in bay remains unsolved |date=November 5, 1991 |page=38 |first=Lisa Grace |last=Lednicer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220222632/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19911105&id=8cNaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yFwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3519,5376591 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The 2000 book ''Bodies in the Bay'' by Mason Ramsey is a fictionalized adaptation of the Chandler case.<ref name="AD-5p3"/> Author [[Donald A. Davis|Don Davis]] in 2007 published the book ''Death Cruise'' covering the murders.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hZ0OHeXZFisC&q=Oba+Chandler |title=Death Cruise |access-date=January 2, 2015 |isbn=9781429903455 |last1=Davis |first1=Donald A. |date=April 1, 2007 |publisher=Macmillan |archive-date=August 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827160420/https://books.google.com/books?id=hZ0OHeXZFisC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Oba+Chandler&hl=en#v=onepage&q=Oba%20Chandler&f=false |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-cruise-don-davis/1100340583?ean=9781429903455 |title=Death Cruise |author=RHale |date=January 23, 2013 |work=Barnes & Noble |access-date=January 2, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105024421/http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-cruise-don-davis/1100340583?ean=9781429903455 |archive-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref>

The case was featured in a 1999 episode of ''[[Cold Case Files]]'' on [[A&E Network|A&E]] titled "Bodies in the Bay," which also focused on the evidence in the case.<ref name="NYTimes-20011119-tv">{{cite news
 |last=Hale
 |first=Mike
 |title=Cold Case Files: Bodies in the Bay/Mail Order Murder
 |url=http://tv.nytimes.com/show/44077/Cold-Case-Files-Bodies-in-the-Bay-Mail-Order-Murder/overview?scp=2&sq=Oba+Chandler
 |newspaper=The New York Times
 |date=November 19, 2001 |access-date=July 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330160841/http://tv.nytimes.com/show/44077/Cold-Case-Files-Bodies-in-the-Bay-Mail-Order-Murder/overview?scp=2&sq=Oba%2BChandler
 |archive-date=March 30, 2012 |url-status=dead
}}</ref>

In 1995, Chandler, some members of his family, and Hal Rogers appeared in an episode of the ''[[Maury Povich Show]]'' featuring the case. Chandler appeared via satellite link.<ref name="TheBlade-19890610-nightmare"/> Chandler's case was featured in a full-hour episode of ''[[Crime Stories (U.S. TV program)|Crime Stories]]''.<ref name="NYTimes-20011119-tv"/> The case was shown on an episode of ''[[Forensic Files]]'' titled "Water Logged" in December 2010. In 2012 [[Investigation Discovery]] show ''[[On the Case with Paula Zahn]]'' aired two episodes called "Murder at Sunset" covering the case.<ref>{{cite episode |url=http://investigation.discovery.com/tv/on-the-case-paula-zahn/specials/murder-at-sunset.html |title=Murder at Sunset |at=Parts 1 and 2 |date=September 16, 2009 |access-date=October 6, 2012 |series=[[On the Case with Paula Zahn]] |network=[[Investigation Discovery]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131183857/http://investigation.discovery.com/tv/on-the-case-paula-zahn/specials/murder-at-sunset.html |archive-date=January 31, 2012}}</ref> In August 2014, the [[Investigation Discovery|ID]] series ''Murder in Paradise'' covered the case.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/notorious-tampa-bay-murder-case-to-be-featured-on-investigation-discovery/2193998 |title=Notorious Tampa Bay murder case to be featured on Investigation Discovery |work=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=September 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011173109/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/notorious-tampa-bay-murder-case-to-be-featured-on-investigation-discovery/2193998 |archive-date=October 11, 2014 |first=Sharon Kennedy |last=Wynne}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140821/LOCAL09/140829895 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012110408/http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20140821/LOCAL09/140829895 |archive-date=October 12, 2014 |title=Documentary looks at Florida slayings |newspaper=[[Journal Gazette]] |access-date=September 22, 2014}}</ref>

On February 11, 2022, the Oxygen Channel aired an episode of ''Family Massacre'' called "The Rogers Family".<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.oxygen.com/family-massacre/crime-news/oba-chandler-killed-joan-rogers-daughters-in-florida-why |title=Handwritten Note Helps Investigators Discover Who Massacred Family Vacationing In Florida |date=February 11, 2022 |website=Oxygen Official Site |accessdate=March 11, 2022 |archive-date=March 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310063211/https://www.oxygen.com/family-massacre/crime-news/oba-chandler-killed-joan-rogers-daughters-in-florida-why |url-status=live}}</ref>

On November 19, 2022, the true crime podcast ''[[Casefile]]'' detailed the case of Jo, Michelle & Christe Rogers in their 232nd episode.<ref>{{cite web |last=Szymanska |first=Paulina |date=2022-11-15 |title=Case 232: Jo, Michelle & Christe Rogers - Casefile True Crime |url=https://casefilepodcast.com/case-232-jo-michelle-christe-rogers/ |access-date=2022-11-20 |website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast |language=en-US |archive-date=February 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224145843/https://casefilepodcast.com/case-232-jo-michelle-christe-rogers/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal bar|Biography|Law|Florida|Ohio}}
* [[Capital punishment in Florida]]
* [[Capital punishment in the United States]]
* [[List of people executed in Florida]]
* [[List of people executed in the United States in 2011]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141230143747/http://www.floridacapitalcases.state.fl.us/inmate-details.cfm?id=66 Inmate information] – Florida Capital Cases
*[https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=2550659035361435451&q=Oba-Chandler&hl=en&as_sdt=2002 ''Oba Chandler v James McDonough, Charlie Crist''; 471 F.3d 1360]{{small|{{snds}}[[United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit|U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals]] (December 18, 2006)}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141230143747/http://www.floridacapitalcases.state.fl.us/inmate-details.cfm?id=66 ''Oba Chandler v James R. McDonough, et al.''; 127 S.Ct. 2269]{{small|{{snds}}[[Supreme Court of United States]] (May 14, 2007)}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141230143747/http://www.floridacapitalcases.state.fl.us/inmate-details.cfm?id=66 ''Oba Chandler v James V. Crosby Jr., et al.''; 454 F.Supp.2d 1137]{{small|{{snds}}[[United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida|U.S. District Court for Middle Florida]] (February 8, 2006)}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20141230143747/http://www.floridacapitalcases.state.fl.us/inmate-details.cfm?id=66 ''Oba Chandler v State of Florida''; 702 So.2d 186]{{small|{{snds}}[[Supreme Court of Florida]] (December 11, 1997)}}
*[https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=13229072775070108393&q=Oba-Chandler&hl=en&as_sdt=2002 ''Oba Chandler v State of Florida''; 848 So.2d 1031]{{small|{{snds}}[[Supreme Court of Florida]] (June 24, 2003)}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.floridacapitalcases.state.fl.us/inmate-details.cfm?id=66 |title=Oba Chandler: Inmate Details |access-date=May 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230143747/http://www.floridacapitalcases.state.fl.us/inmate-details.cfm?id=66 |archive-date=December 30, 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{small|{{snds}}at the Florida Commission on Capital Cases}}
*{{IMDb title|qid=Q26187876|title=Scene of the Crime}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chandler, Oba}}

[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:1989 murders in the United States]]
[[Category:2011 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century American criminals]]
[[Category:21st-century executions by Florida]]
[[Category:21st-century executions of American people]]
[[Category:American burglars]]
[[Category:American counterfeiters]]
[[Category:American kidnappers]]
[[Category:American male criminals]]
[[Category:American murderers of children]]
[[Category:American rapists]]
[[Category:American robbers]]
[[Category:Executed American serial killers]]
[[Category:Executed people from Ohio]]
[[Category:People convicted of murder by Florida]]
[[Category:People executed by Florida by lethal injection]]
[[Category:Criminals from Cincinnati]]
[[Category:Serial killers from Florida]]