1. Ted Bundy: “I’d Like You to Give My Love to My Family and Friends”
Ted Bundy was one of the most infamous serial killers in history, with an estimated 30 victims across several states in the 1970s. Despite the cruelty of his crimes, Bundy’s final words were unexpectedly simple, according to the Los Angeles Times: “I’d like you to give my love to my family and friends.” His request was a stark contrast to the brutal nature of his actions, leaving many to wonder if there was any shred of humanity left in him.
For a man who had shown no remorse throughout his trial and had even tried to manipulate the justice system, Bundy’s last words were unsettlingly tender. His plea to be remembered by those closest to him seemed almost childlike, creating an eerie juxtaposition between the man who had been a cold-blooded killer and the man now asking for love. It remains one of the more unsettling final statements of any criminal.
2. Jeffrey Dahmer: “I Don’t Care if I Live or Die”
Jeffrey Dahmer, infamously known as the “Milwaukee Cannibal,” was one of the most notorious serial killers in American history. His crimes involved the brutal murder and dismemberment of at least 17 men and boys. Dahmer maintained a cold, emotionless demeanor throughout his trial and his time in prison. According to The Mirror, his final words, spoken just before he was killed by a fellow inmate, were chillingly indifferent: “I don’t care if I live or die. Go ahead and kill me.”
These words not only encapsulated his utter lack of remorse but also reflected his desensitized view of life and death. Dahmer’s nonchalant attitude towards his own demise sent a shiver down the spine of anyone who heard it. Even in his last moments, he remained detached from the gravity of his actions and the pain he had inflicted on countless lives.
3. Timothy McVeigh: “I Am the Master of My Fate”
Timothy McVeigh, responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, killed 168 people, including 19 children. According to The Guardian, McVeigh, unrepentant to the end, viewed his execution as the final act in his war against the government. In his final moments, he boldly declared, “I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul,” quoting the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley. His defiance was chilling, as it highlighted his unwavering belief in his cause.
McVeigh’s final words echoed his belief in his own righteousness, showcasing his view of himself as a martyr for a cause. The calmness with which he approached his execution, combined with his last statement, left a haunting reminder of the mindset of those who commit heinous acts in the name of a personal ideology. His words remain an eerie testament to his steadfastness in his beliefs, even as he faced the consequences of his horrific actions.
4. George Bernard Harris: “Somebody needs to kill my trial attorney”
George Bernard Harris’ criminal activities began with a winning streak at a craps game in Kansas City in March 1989, which eventually led him to an unthinkable crime. After buying machine guns in a questionable exchange, he enlisted others to hold onto the weapons. When one of these men failed to return the guns later that night, Harris shot him dead in a violent fit of rage. His killing spree escalated when he was later charged with murder and robbery, leading to his execution on September 13, 2000.
Harris’ last words were as bitter and resentful as his life had been. He declared, “Somebody needs to kill my trial attorney,” a statement that highlighted his contempt for the legal system and the professionals involved in his case. His final statement left a chilling mark on his already disturbing criminal history.
5. Aileen Wuornos: “I’ll be back”
Aileen Wuornos, a former prostitute in Florida, became infamous for the murders of several men whom she claimed had attempted to assault her. Her killings, spanning from 1989 to 1990, led to her conviction for six murders. While some believed she acted in self-defense, Wuornos was sentenced to death and ultimately executed by lethal injection on October 9, 2002. Throughout her trial and execution, Wuornos remained a figure of both sympathy and disgust, depending on the perspective.
According to The Guardian, her last words were anything but conventional, reflecting her tumultuous personality and her unusual final moments. She declared, “I’d just like to say, I’m sailing with the rock, and I’ll be back, like Independence Day, with Jesus, June 6th. Like the movie, big mothership and all. I’ll be back.” Her words, referencing popular films, added a surreal layer to the finality of her life.
6. John Wayne Gacy: “Kiss my ass”
John Wayne Gacy, a man who would shock the world with his dual life as a serial killer and as “Pogo the Clown,” was convicted of the murders of at least 33 young men and boys in the 1970s. He lured his victims with promises of work or money, then tortured, raped, and murdered them before burying their bodies under his home. Gacy was convicted and sentenced to death for his heinous crimes, leading to his execution by lethal injection on May 10, 1994.
Gacy’s final words were as defiant as his entire criminal career. He boldly stated, “Kiss my ass,” a crude and unapologetic message that left a mark on the public memory of his execution. His brazen farewell only added to the grotesque legacy he left behind.
7. Kimberly McCarthy: “This is not a loss, this is a win”
Kimberly McCarthy’s crime spree in Texas began with a violent robbery that resulted in the brutal murder of her 71-year-old neighbor in 1997. McCarthy had been addicted to crack cocaine and resorted to murder as a means of obtaining money for her habit. Though she was implicated in other murders, it was the killing of her neighbor that led to her conviction and execution. On June 26, 2013, she became the 500th person to be executed in modern Texas history.
Her final statement before her execution by lethal injection was striking for its tone of defiance. Per The Los Angeles Times, McCarthy said, “This is not a loss, this is a win. You know where I am going. I am going home to be with Jesus. Keep the faith. I love y’all. Thank you, chaplain.” This proclamation, full of religious conviction, was her final message before her death.
8. Westley Allan Dodd: “Any way sex offenders could be stopped”
Westley Allan Dodd, convicted for the sexual assaults and murders of three young boys in the late 1980s, stands as one of the most notorious child killers in U.S. history. After a series of disturbing criminal acts, Dodd was sentenced to death and chose to forgo any appeals to his case. His execution on January 5, 1993, marked the first legal hanging in the U.S. in almost three decades, a grim historical note in the annals of capital punishment.
Before his hanging, Dodd made a final statement that reflected his eventual regret. He said, “I was once asked by somebody, I don’t remember who, if there was any way sex offenders could be stopped. I said no. I was wrong.” His words, filled with remorse and a twisted recognition of his crimes, offered a chilling reflection on his depraved actions.
9. Jack Jones Jr.: “I love you like a child”
In 1995, Jack Jones Jr. entered a tax office in Bald Knob, Arkansas, where he committed a gruesome double homicide. He strangled an 11-year-old girl named Lacy and then went on to rape and murder her mother, 34-year-old Mary Phillips. The investigation took a shocking turn when, after photographing the scene, Lacy unexpectedly opened her eyes, revealing that she had not been dead. Jones was convicted and executed by lethal injection on April 24, 2017.
Before his execution, Jones expressed regret and remorse for his actions. His last words were: “I hope over time you can learn who I really am, and I am not a monster. There was a reason why those things happened that day. I am so sorry, Lacy. Try to understand; I love you like a child.” His heartfelt statement was an attempt to convey a semblance of humanity amid the horror of his crimes.
10. Rosendo Rodriguez III: “I have run the good race”
Rosendo Rodriguez III’s final crime involved the murder of two women: a 16-year-old girl in 2004 and a 29-year-old woman in 2005, both of whom he killed and disposed of their bodies in luggage. Rodriguez’s killing spree, which spanned several years, was marred by violent sexual assaults as well. He was convicted for these two murders and was executed in Texas on March 27, 2018.
His last words were reflective and almost poetic. He said, “I have fought the good fight; I have run the good race. Warden, I’m ready to join my father.” With these words, Rodriguez appeared to reconcile with his fate, choosing a dignified final statement despite the gravity of his horrific actions.
11. William Bonin: “Think about it seriously”
William Bonin, known as the “Freeway Killer,” was responsible for a series of brutal murders in Southern California in the late 1970s. He was convicted for the murders of 14 young men and boys, though authorities believe he may have been involved in even more. His crimes were marked by extreme violence and sexual assault, and many of his victims’ bodies were discovered along highways. Bonin’s execution took place on February 23, 1996, at San Quentin State Prison.
Before his execution by lethal injection, Bonin left a final piece of advice. His last words were: “I would suggest that when a person has a thought of doing anything serious against the law, that before they did that, they should go to a quiet place and think about it seriously.” These words, reflecting a grim contemplation, came from one of California’s most notorious serial killers.
12. Carl Panzram: “I could kill 10 men while you’re fooling around!”
Carl Panzram, a serial killer and rapist active in the early 20th century, was responsible for numerous murders and crimes during his time in and out of prisons. Panzram was arrested for a variety of violent crimes, and he confessed to killing at least 21 men. He was ultimately convicted for the murder of a prison employee and executed by hanging on September 5, 1930.
Panzram’s final words were delivered with an unmistakable sense of defiance and frustration. He said, “Hurry it up, you Hoosier bastard. I could kill 10 men while you’re fooling around.” His abrupt and violent words, reflective of his entire life, left a chilling imprint on his execution and his brutal legacy.
