From the gruesome details of the crimes to Stephen Lorenzo’s courtroom antics, this case has left a lasting scar on the city.
Here’s an in-depth look into Steven Lorenzo’s case and how justice was finally served.
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| Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz |
Who Is Steven Lorenzo?
Steven Lorenzo was a predator who operated in Tampa’s gay community.
He targeted young and vulnerable men under the guise of friendship.
He was known for visiting local gay bars and using online dating platforms to meet these unsuspecting men.
He would then lure them back to his Seminole Heights home, which later became the scene of his horrifying crimes.
According to police reports, Lorenzo had a calculated method of spiking his victims' drinks with the date-rape drug GHB before subjecting them to horrific abuse.
His ultimate goal was to exploit them sexually, often filming the abuse, as reported by FOX13 News.
His criminal history extended beyond the murders of Galehouse and Wachholtz.
In 2005, he was convicted on criminal charges for drugging and assaulting nine men using GHB, often referred to as the "date rape drug."
His actions were far from consensual, despite his claims, and his victims often woke up in pain or with no memory of what had occurred.
However, his initial conviction was just the start of discovering how terrible his crimes really were.
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| Steven Lorenzo |
Steven Lorenzo’s Murder Victims
The tragic murders of Jason Galehouse and Michael Wachholtz in December 2003 shook the city of Tampa.
Jason Galehouse, a 26-year-old studying interior design, disappeared after leaving a gay nightclub called "2606 Nightclub."
His life was cut short when Lorenzo and his accomplice, Scott Schweickert, lured him to Lorenzo’s home.
Sadly, he was tortured and killed after arriving at Lorenzo’s home.
Schweickert later confessed that Galehouse’s body was dismembered and disposed of in different dumpsters across the city.
His body has not been recovered to date.
Michael Wachholtz, another vibrant young man, vanished the following night after Jason was killed.
His body was discovered weeks later in his Jeep Cherokee, wrapped in a sheet.
Their deaths led to an extensive criminal investigation by law enforcement in Tampa.
The investigation ultimately exposed a calculated plan by Lorenzo and Schweickert to exploit and murder.
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| Michael Wachholtz |
How Was Steven Lorenzo Caught?
Steven Lorenzo's reign of terror came to an end after an extensive criminal investigation by law enforcement in Tampa.
The investigation began when a friend of one of Lorenzo's victims, came forward with critical information.
After the victim was reported missing, his friend told authorities that the victim was last seen with Lorenzo.
The witness provided detectives with crucial details about their interaction with Lorenzo and the timeline leading up to the disappearance.
Detectives soon discovered that Lorenzo had a disturbing pattern of targeting young men, luring them in with promises of companionship or money.
This led criminal investigators to focus on Lorenzo, but they needed more evidence to make an arrest.
Further investigations uncovered Lorenzo's previous criminal activities, including his connection to a series of unsolved deaths.
Detectives discovered that Lorenzo had previously been involved in multiple incidents where his victims were drugged and sexually assaulted.
One victim, who had survived an attack, had reported to the authorities that Lorenzo had been in the process of drugging him when he managed to escape.
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| Jason Galehouse |
As detectives pieced together the evidence, they obtained a warrant to search Lorenzo's home.
During the search, they discovered disturbing evidence that pointed to his guilt.
Among the items found were photographs of his victims, personal belongings that belonged to them, and various items used to subdue his targets, including drugs.
During questioning, he initially denied any involvement in the crimes, but the weight of the evidence proved overwhelming.
After a lengthy interrogation, Steven Lorenzo eventually confessed to several murders.
However, he refused to disclose the total number of victims or specifics of the murders, leaving many questions unanswered.
Lorenzo's accomplice, Scott Schweickert, played a pivotal role in his downfall.
Schweickert admitted to assisting Lorenzo in the murders and later testified against him as part of a plea agreement.
His chilling confessions painted a gruesome picture of their coordinated crimes.
It soon became clear that Steven Lorenzo had been engaging in a prolonged series of abductions, assaults, and killings.
In 2005, Steven Lorenzo was charged with multiple counts of murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault.
Steven Lorenzo’s confession brought relief to the families of his victims and marked the end of a horrific chapter in his community.
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| Steven Lorenzo in court |
Trial and Sentencing of Steven Lorenzo
Steven Lorenzo's trial began in 2006, drawing significant public attention due to the horrific nature of his crimes.
He faced charges of murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault, based on his involvement in the deaths of at least two known victims, as well as the presumed murders of several others.
The prosecution’s case was based on physical evidence, witness testimonies, and Lorenzo’s confessions during interrogations.
Despite overwhelming evidence, Lorenzo manipulated the legal system for years, representing himself and delaying proceedings.
He made shocking claims, such as questioning the relevance of sex tapes found in his home.
The trial was emotionally charged, with the victims' families present in the courtroom, seeking justice for their loved ones.
The details of the victims' deaths, including how their bodies were disposed of, were chilling and difficult for the families to hear.
In December 2022, Lorenzo finally pleaded guilty to the murders of Galehouse and Wachholtz, requesting the death penalty.
After several weeks of testimony, a Hillsborough County Jury found Steven Lorenzo guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, along with charges of kidnapping and sexual assault.
The conviction brought a sense of justice to the victims’ families.
However, many were left with the lingering frustration that Steven Lorenzo had never fully disclosed the extent of his crimes.
On February 25, 2023, Judge Christopher Sabella granted his request and sentenced him to death.
“This is the punishment you deserve for these horrific crimes,” said the judge.
Steven Lorenzo is currently on death row, serving time in a Florida prison.
The video below shows the moment Steven Lorenzo requested the death penalty for his crimes during his sentencing hearing.
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