The concept of a last meal, one final indulgence before facing execution, has long fascinated the public. It’s a peculiar blend of humanity and morbidity, offering a glimpse into the personal preferences of criminals whose actions often defy understanding. From simple comfort foods to extravagant feasts, these requests reveal the individuality of those awaiting their fate. These are nine infamous last meals of criminals before their executions.
1. Thomas J. Grasso
Executed in 1995 for double murder, Grasso’s last meal became infamous due to the SpaghettiOs mix-up. His full request included two dozen mussels and clams, a double cheeseburger from Burger King, half a dozen spare ribs, two strawberry milkshakes, half a pumpkin pie with strawberries, and a can of SpaghettiOs with meatballs as the grand finale. The error led to his famous last words: “I did not get my SpaghettiOs, I got spaghetti. I want the press to know this.”
2. Stephen Wayne Anderson
Anderson, executed in 2002 for burglary and murder, chose a relatively simple last meal. His selection of grilled cheese sandwiches, cottage cheese, corn, peach pie, ice cream, and radishes was notable for its mix of comfort foods and the unusual addition of radishes.
3. Peter J. Miniel
Executed in Texas in 2004 for murder, Miniel’s last meal request was one of the largest on record. His order of 40 Mexican dishes, burgers, pizza, and desserts raised eyebrows due to its sheer volume. This extreme request led to discussions about the ethics and practicality of fulfilling such elaborate last-meal wishes.
4. John Wayne Gacy
Known as the “Killer Clown,” Gacy was executed in 1994 for the murders of 33 young men and boys. His last meal was a bucket of KFC chicken, 12 fried prawns, a pound of strawberries, French fries, and a Diet Coke. Interestingly, Gacy had managed a KFC restaurant in his younger years, adding a personal touch to his choice.
5. Ronnie Lee Gardner
Gardner, executed by firing squad in Utah in 2010, chose a last meal that included steak, lobster tail, apple pie, vanilla ice cream, and 7-Up. His request to watch the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy while eating was denied, but he was allowed to fast for 48 hours, watching the Lord of the Rings film trilogy and reading Divine Justice.
6. Velma Barfield
Executed in 1984, Barfield was the first woman to be executed in the U.S. after the reinstatement of the death penalty. Her simple last meal of Cheez-Doodles and Coca-Cola stood in stark contrast to her crimes of poisoning multiple victims. Barfield’s case drew attention to issues of gender and capital punishment.
7. Joseph Mitchell Parsons
Executed in Utah in 1999, Parsons watched The Mummy while in his death watch cell, where he was joined by his brother and cousin. Together, they shared his final meal, which included Burger King hamburgers, French fries, milkshakes, root beer, and chocolate chip ice cream. Parsons’ case was controversial due to claims of self-defense and inadequate legal representation.
8. Nathaniel Woods
Woods’ 2020 execution in Alabama was highly controversial, with many arguing he was wrongfully convicted. His last meal, which he barely touched, consisted of sweet potatoes, spinach, chicken patties, chicken leg quarters, cooked apples, fries, two oranges, and an orange soda. The fact that he only took one bite before being led to execution added to the tragedy of his situation.
9. Timothy McVeigh
Timothy McVeigh was executed in 2001 and chose only mint chocolate chip ice cream for his last meal. This simple choice from a man responsible for one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in U.S. history struck many as incongruous. McVeigh’s execution was watched by over 200 survivors and victims’ family members via closed-circuit television.
Sources:
The Infamous Last Meal
The Memorable Last Meals of Ten Infamous Death Row Inmates
The Last Meals of Famous Killers
