I’ve always found it strangely fascinating to think about what people choose for their last meal before execution. There’s something deeply personal about it, like a final glimpse into the mind of someone who knows their time is almost up. These choices can reveal so much—maybe a link to their past, a taste of nostalgia, or a symbol of who they were. Some people ask for grand feasts, while others go for something simple or even nothing at all.
As I go through these 12 last meal requests from people on death row, I can’t help but wonder what I’d choose if I were in their shoes. Would it be something comforting or symbolic?
Timothy McVeigh: Ice Cream
Timothy McVeigh, responsible for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people, requested a surprisingly simple final meal: two pints of mint chocolate chip ice cream. It’s a curious choice, given the severity of his crime, and may have reflected a desire for something comforting and nostalgic during his last moments.
Aileen Wuornos: Coffee
Aileen Wuornos, a serial killer whose life inspired movies and documentaries, turned down the opportunity for a lavish meal. She simply asked for a cup of black coffee. Perhaps it was a reflection of her hard life, or maybe she wanted something plain and straightforward to accompany her final hours.
John Wayne Gacy: Fried Chicken Feast
John Wayne Gacy, a notorious serial killer and clown performer, requested a hearty meal consisting of fried chicken, fried shrimp, French fries, and a pound of strawberries. As strange as it may seem, Gacy had once run a fried chicken restaurant, so this meal might have held personal significance for him.
Ted Bundy: Declined
Ted Bundy, one of the most infamous serial killers in history, chose to decline a special final meal. He was served the standard meal given to all prisoners: steak, eggs, hash browns, toast, milk, and juice. His refusal might have been a final act of defiance or indifference to the life he was leaving behind.
Ricky Ray Rector: Pecan Pie
Ricky Ray Rector, whose mental capacity was debated before his execution, requested steak, fried chicken, cherry Kool-Aid, and a pecan pie. Oddly, Rector did not eat the pie, saying he would “save it for later,” a comment that has left many wondering about his understanding of the situation.
Velma Barfield: Cheez Doodles and Soda
Velma Barfield, a convicted murderer and the first woman executed after the death penalty was reinstated in the U.S., had a humble request for her last meal: a bag of Cheez Doodles and a can of Coca-Cola. The simplicity of her choice contrasted sharply with the gravity of her situation.
Peter Kürten: Wiener Schnitzel
Known as the “Vampire of Düsseldorf,” Peter Kürten’s horrific crimes shocked Germany. Before his execution in 1931, he requested a final meal of wiener schnitzel, fried potatoes, and a bottle of white wine. He reportedly ate it with relish, savoring each bite in his usual unsettling manner.
Gary Gilmore: Burger and Hard-Boiled Eggs
Gary Gilmore, whose execution in 1977 restarted the use of the death penalty in the U.S. after a decade-long hiatus, asked for a burger, hard-boiled eggs, and a shot of whiskey, though the alcohol request was denied. Gilmore’s straightforward, everyday meal reflected his no-nonsense attitude about his death.
Stephen Wayne Anderson: Two Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Stephen Wayne Anderson, who committed murder while escaping from prison, had a rather odd final meal request. He asked for two grilled cheese sandwiches, a pint of cottage cheese, corn, hominy, peach pie, and chocolate chip ice cream. The mix of foods left many wondering if it had personal significance or was simply an odd craving.
Ronnie Lee Gardner: Lobster and Trilogy
Ronnie Lee Gardner, executed by firing squad in 2010, went for a grander meal: lobster tail, steak, apple pie with vanilla ice cream, and a 7-Up. Gardner also requested to watch “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy during his final hours, seeking distraction from the inevitable.
Angel Nieves Diaz: Refused Meal
Angel Nieves Diaz, convicted of murder in Florida, made a statement by refusing his last meal. Instead, he was served the prison’s standard meal, though he didn’t touch it. His refusal was seen as an act of protest, perhaps aimed at the system he felt had wronged him.
Lawrence Brewer: Feast Denied
Lawrence Brewer, a white supremacist executed for a brutal hate crime, ordered an absurdly large meal that included two chicken-fried steaks, triple bacon cheeseburgers, fried okra, a pound of barbecue, a pizza, and much more. When the food arrived, he didn’t eat a single bite. This led Texas to abolish special last meal requests altogether.
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Ellen has been obsessed with logic puzzles, jigsaws, and cryptograms since she was a kid. After learning she was taught how to play chess wrong by a family friend (so they could win), she joined her school chess club and the rest is history.
