Christopher Collins, sentenced to death in 2012 for the rape and murder of nine-year-old Rowan Ford, was executed on Tuesday in Missouri. His execution marked the 23rd in the U.S. this year, with most carried out by lethal injection. After exhausting all legal avenues, including a failed request for clemency from Governor Mike Parson, Collins faced the death penalty following his confession to the heinous crime. The death penalty has been abolished in over 23 states, while others have imposed moratoriums on executions.