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Born in Englewood, Florida, Denise was a wonderful, loving mother of two boys. Denise met her husband, Nathan Lee, in her senior year in high school. At the time of her abduction, Nathan was working several jobs to make sure Denise was able to stay home with their boys.
It was like any other day, Denise was on the back porch of her North Port, Florida home giving her son a haircut when she was abruptly taken, in broad daylight. Somehow, her captor was able to enter the Lee's home and take Denise, against her will. When Nathan returned home from work, he found their two boys in a crib, but Denise was nowhere to be found. At the time of her kidnapping, Denise's father, Rick Goff, was a detective, and immediately sought the help of local law enforcement to find Denise. One witness reported a green Camaro circling the neighborhood, and saw the Camaro parked in the Lee's driveway. A BOLO was issued for the vehicle, and for Denise.
During the course of Denise's abduction, she managed to take her captor's cell phone and dial 911. Denise engaged her captor in conversation, secretly providing detailed information to the 911 dispatcher, but unfortunately help never came.
In another unfortunate set of circumstances, a witness called 911 after seeing what she believed to be a child abduction in progress. The witness reported hearing a child screaming, and saw someone's hand hitting the window of a green camera. The witnesses call for help went unanswered after the dispatcher failed to send available police units to respond to her report. After an observant police officer saw a green Camaro matching the description from the BOLO, a traffic stop was initiated, and the officer identified the driver of Michael King. Michael was arrested, and two days later, Denise's murdered body was found in a shallow grave.
It was later learned Michael King was recently divorced, unemployed, and his home was on the brink of foreclosure. Michael plead not-guilty to the charges of first degree murder, sexual battery, and kidnapping. Michael denied his involvement, and claimed both he and Denise were kidnapped and blindfolded. However, the evidence against Michael was overwhelming. There were several witnesses who testified in Michael's trial, including Michael's own cousin. Denise's DNA was found in Michael's home and inside Michael's Camero. There was a combination of Michael's DnA found on the duct tape used to bind Denise. Denise's shorts were also found in the woods near her grave, and contained Michael's semen.
Michael Lee King was found guilty on all charges on December 4, 2009. He was sentenced to death. Michael attempted to appeal the court’s decision in 2016, but his sentence was upheld. He is currently incarcerated at the Union Correctional Institution in Florida and an execution date has not been set.
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