On Monday, the court sentenced a North Port man to life in prison after convicting him for the 2023 shooting death of his roommate.
A Sarasota County jury found Darryl Wayne Dye, 64, guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm on Friday, March 20, 2026, after a five-day trial. Shortly after the jury returned the verdict, Circuit Judge Donna Padar handed down the life sentence.
The Incident
The case dates back to August 7, 2023, when North Port police responded to a non-emergency call from Dye reporting a dead body in his home. According to prosecutors:
Dye told dispatchers that the situation was “beyond” attempting CPR.
Arriving officers found 57-year-old Kim Szymaszek deceased from multiple gunshot wounds to her head and neck.
Investigators later discovered a firearm, magazines, and ammunition inside a silver briefcase in Dye’s bedroom.
The Verdict
During the trial, which began on March 16, 2026, the 12th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office presented evidence uncovered through a joint investigation by the North Port Police Department and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
While the charge of second-degree murder with a firearm carries a minimum of 25 years, the judge opted for the maximum penalty of life in prison. State Attorney Ed Brodsky’s office announced the final sentencing details on Tuesday, March 24, following the initial reports of the conviction.
