Bio

Larry Eugene Mann was born on June 9, 1953. He grew up in Mississippi and had a troubled childhood. Over time, he developed a history of mental health issues, including psychotic depression.

Mann committed a serious crime when he kidnapped a young girl from a church parking lot and molested her. At around this time, his behavior started showing signs of aggression which would later become a significant aspect of his adult life. In the early 1970s, he was arrested for another violent crime in which he forced a woman to commit a sexual act while threatening her baby.

In the late 1970s, he moved to Florida. During this time, he continued to face legal problems and developed more mental health issues.

Murder Story

On November 4, 1980, Larry Eugene Mann abducted 10-year-old Elisa Nelson as she rode her bike to school in Palm Harbor, Florida. After taking her, he attacked her in an orange grove, inflicting severe injuries. Elisa’s bicycle was found later that day in a ditch about a mile from her school.

Elisa's body was discovered the next day. An autopsy revealed she died from a skull fracture caused by a concrete-encased steel pipe. Witnesses indicated that Mann had attempted to commit suicide shortly after Elisa's disappearance, during which he expressed that he "had done something stupid and needed help."

Larry Mann’s involvement in the crime was further confirmed when his wife found a bloodstained note written by Elisa's mother in his truck. This note excused Elisa's tardiness to school due to a dental appointment. The police obtained a search warrant for Mann’s belongings, leading to the discovery of blood that matched both Mann and Elisa.

On November 10, 1980, Mann was arrested. His criminal history included previous sexual offenses and a pattern of mental health issues. In 1981, he was convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping, and the jury recommended the death penalty, which was agreed upon by the court.

Following several legal challenges and appeals, including resentencing, Mann continued to be sentenced to death multiple times. His case remained a focal point of legal debate for over three decades. Ultimately, on April 10, 2013, Mann was executed by lethal injection in Florida.