An axe-wielding mass murderer who took the lives of five people had some haunting final words before his execution last week.
Derrick Dearman, a death row inmate, was executed by lethal injection at Holman prison in Atmore, Alabama, at 6:14 p.m. last Thursday (October 17).
In 2016, the then 27-year-old invaded the home of his ex-girlfriend Lenata Lester’s brother in Citronelle, Alabama. She had sought refuge there to escape his abusive behavior.
Dearman went on to kill Joseph Adam Turner, Lester’s brother, Turner’s wife Shannon Melissa Randall, Justin Kaleb Reed and his pregnant wife Chelsea Marie Reed, and Robert Lee Brown, who also lived in the house.
He attacked and murdered them individually using an axe, a pistol, and a shotgun.
After the murders, Dearman kidnapped Lester and her brother’s child, taking them to his father’s house before eventually releasing them.
Following a call from Lester to the police, Dearman surrendered himself, later attributing his actions to drug influence. He claimed he was high on methamphetamine and that the ‘drugs were making me think things that weren’t really there happening’.
In the days leading up to his execution last week, the 36-year-old penned a disturbing final letter, which would be among his last words.
The letter stated: “I am writing this letter to inform the courts and the state of Alabama that I am dropping my appeals and ask that my sentence of death be carried out.
“I was not forced or guided into this decision, this decision is my own, I am of a sound mind and body. I am fully aware of all consequences related to this decision.”
The letter then outlined three reasons for his decision to withdraw his appeal.
“I am guilty, I plead guilty, and was found guilty, I was sentenced to death after being found guilty and I 100% agree with the sentencing and believe it is fair,” it read.
The letter continued, “It is not fair to the victims or their families to continue to delay the justice they so rightly deserve, I am guilty and was fairly sentenced to death.
“It is a waste of the courts time, resources and precious taxpayers dollars to continue to use my appeals when I am guilty and was fairly sentenced to death.”
He added: “Every word of this letter is my own his is my final decision in this matter.”
On the day he was executed, Dearman requested a seafood platter as his final meal.
Addressing the families of his victims, he said: “Forgive me. This is not for me. This is for you. I’ve taken so much,” and then told his own family: “Y’all already know I love y’all.”