The final words of death row inmate Christopher Collings have been disclosed following his execution by lethal injection, with his attorney expressing that he was taken ‘too early from this Earth’.
Collings’ execution marks the 23rd instance of capital punishment in the United States this year, with Missouri accounting for four of these executions.
At the age of 49, Collings was executed by lethal injection at the Potosi Correctional Center in Bonne Terre, having been sentenced to death in 2007.
On Monday, the US Supreme Court denied his plea for a stay of execution.
Prior to the execution, Missouri Governor Michael Parson released a statement, noting: “Mr. Collings has received every protection afforded by the Missouri and United States Constitutions, and Mr. Collings’ conviction and sentence remain for his horrendous and callous crime.
“The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Collings’ sentence according to the Court’s order and deliver justice.”
Collings, who was a father to two adult daughters, was convicted for the murder of nine-year-old Rowan Ford on November 3, 2007, in the small Missouri village of Stella. He had been residing with her family for several months that year.
He confessed to abducting a sleeping Rowan from her bedroom and taking her to his trailer.
According to court records, it was there that he had raped her, and upon her recognizing him, he panicked and strangled her to death.
A week later, her body was discovered in a cave following an Amber Alert.
Prior to his execution, Collings penned his final words, offering an apology and an enigmatic closing message.
He stated: “Right or wrong I accept this situation for what it is.
“To anyone that I have hurt in this life, I am sorry. I hope that you are able to get closure and move on.
“Regardless which side of this situation that you are on. You are in my prayers and I hope to see you in heaven one day.”
His attorneys, one of whom was present at the execution, remarked that Collings was taken ‘too early from this Earth’.
His legal representatives stated: “We share Chris’ desire that his death will provide a measure of closure for the victim’s family and that the people hurt by him will be able to carry on.
“What occurred today, though, was an act of vengeance, but will not define Chris, nor will it be how we remember him.”