safety
Family of slain Florida woman hopes execution of convicted killer Dennis Socher brings long-awaited closure
By Ted Scouten at CBS4 Miami
· July 13, 2026
· 2 min read
"There will be justice and closure for Patty and what happened to her. That's what we're getting tomorrow," Gifford said.On Tuesday, convicted killer Dennis Socher is scheduled to be executed."All the teenage girls in Florida should sleep a little safer after tomorrow night," Gifford said. "He'll ne
Key takeaway "Patty Gifford and Socher were both at a New Year's Eve party in 1982, though they were not together.
Why this matters in The Miami
The execution of Dennis Socher brings a sense of finality to a case that has haunted the Miami community for decades. For the Gifford family, however, the pain will persist until they can lay Patty to rest. The fact that Socher's remorse has not led to the disclosure of Patty's remains is a stark reminder that closure can be elusive, even in cases where justice is served. As the family seeks to recover Patty's remains and move forward, they will have to navigate the complex and often frustrating process of working with law enforcement and other agencies to uncover the truth. The case also highlights the importance of support services for families of victims, who often face years of uncertainty and trauma. In a city like Miami, where violent crime can have a disproportionate impact on certain neighborhoods and communities, the Gifford family's story is a sobering reminder of the human cost of crime and the need for ongoing support and advocacy for victims' families.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? "There will be justice and closure for Patty and what happened to her. That's what we're getting tomorrow," Gifford said.On Tuesday, convicted killer Dennis Socher is scheduled to be executed."All the teenage girls in Florida should sleep a little safer after tomorrow night," Gifford said. "He'll ne
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ted Scouten at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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