Brad Sigmon: The Last Meal of the Executed Man – What He Requested Before His Execution

The execution of Brad Sigmon, the first person to be executed in the U.S. in 15 years, sparked numerous reactions. Sigmon, aged 67, was sentenced to death in 2002 for bludgeoning to death with a baseball bat the parents of his girlfriend, David and Gladys LaRue. As details emerged about his final words and last meal, the world gained insight into the moments leading up to his execution. Sigmon’s lawyer, Gerald King, relayed his final statement: “I want my last statement to be a statement of love and a call to my fellow Christians to help abolish the death penalty. We are now under the grace and mercy of God.” Just before his final breath, Sigmon recited four Bible passages emphasizing that “nowhere does God in the New Testament give humans the authority to kill another human.” The execution took place at 6:05 PM local time (1:05 AM Greek time) by a firing squad of three volunteers who shot him in the heart from 15 meters away. South Carolina Department of Corrections spokesperson Christie Sain confirmed that Sigmon was pronounced dead at 6:08 PM (1:08 AM Greek time). Sigmon’s last meal consisted of four pieces of fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, biscuits, cheesecake, and sweet tea. During the execution, a white target with a red dot was placed over his heart, and his lawyer read his final words aloud. Officials noted that Sigmon’s hand trembled and strained as if trying to break free from the restraints. Despite attempts to speak with his lawyer and spiritual advisor moments before the execution, no one could understand what he said. Lawyer Gerald King maintained eye contact until a hood was placed over Sigmon’s head, who wore black clothing to prevent blood stains from showing.