Death row inmate seeks penfriend on dating site while appealing murder conviction

Joseph Zieler, a death row inmate convicted of murdering an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter, has created a profile on a dating site called Wire of Hope. Zieler, 62, is seeking a female penfriend while he awaits execution. Zieler was sentenced to death in June 2023 after DNA evidence linked him to the 1990 murders. He has maintained his innocence and is currently appealing his sentence. His profile highlights his interests, including music and sailing. Wire of Hope connects inmates with people outside prison, aiming to provide companionship. The site was founded by a woman who moved to Florida to be closer to her partner on death row.