Killer says goodbye to friend in final words before execution for teen’s murder

NewsWorldAmericasUS Crime NewsKiller says goodbye to friend in final words before execution for teen’s murderJames Ernest Hitchcock was executed for the murder of his brother’s 13-year-old stepdaughter, Cynthia DiggersJeffrey Collins Friday 01 May 2026 00:56 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2968534","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/florida-execution-james-ernest-hitchcock-final-words-b2968534.html","title":"Killer says goodbye to friend in final words before execution for teen’s murder"}}open image in gallery{"id":"trigger-autogallery-7690","index":0}Convicted of beating and choking the teenager to death nearly five decades ago, Hitchcock offered a brief final statement before his death (AP Photo/Curt Anderson)The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_Evening_Newsletter","regTitle":"Evening Headlines","subscriptionGroup":"us_evening_headlines","subscriptionGroupId":"4326e634-422a-4447-8e1e-604a937cd3b5","type":"daily_news","pathPrefix":["/us","/news/world/americas","/news/world/americas/crime"],"title":"The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday","mobileTitle":"Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/usEveningHeadlines1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking...