The tradition of granting a last meal to condemned prisoners dates back thousands of years. It’s a final act of mercy, allowing those facing execution to indulge in one last earthly pleasure before meeting their fate. But for some of history’s most infamous criminals, this custom became an opportunity to make a lasting statement – or simply to satisfy an outrageous craving. From oddly symbolic choices to gluttonous feasts, these bizarre last meal requests offer a fascinating glimpse into the minds of notorious killers in their final hours. Let’s dive into eight of the strangest last suppers ever served on death row.
1. Victor Feguer’s Single Olive
In the annals of last meal requests, few are as strikingly minimalist as Victor Feguer’s. This convicted kidnapper and murderer, facing the gallows in Iowa in 1963, asked for just a single olive with the pit still inside. It was a choice that left prison officials baffled and continues to intrigue to this day. Feguer’s reasoning? He expressed hope that an olive tree might sprout from his grave, viewing it as a poetic symbol of peace.
The image of a hardened criminal requesting such a small, seemingly insignificant item as his final meal is both haunting and thought-provoking. It raises questions about redemption, symbolism, and the human capacity for change even in the face of death. Feguer’s olive has become one of the most famous last meal requests in criminal history, a testament to the power of simplicity and the enduring fascination with the final wishes of the condemned.
2. Gary Carl Simmons Jr.’s 29,000-Calorie Feast
On the opposite end of the spectrum from Feguer’s lone olive is the gargantuan last meal requested by Gary Carl Simmons Jr. This Mississippi death row inmate ordered what is believed to be the highest-calorie last meal in recorded history. His menu read like a fast-food fever dream: a Pizza Hut medium Super Supreme Deep Dish pizza, ten 8-oz. packs of Parmesan cheese, ten 8-oz. packs of ranch dressing, two large strawberry shakes, two cherry Cokes, one super-size order of McDonald’s fries, and two pints of strawberry ice cream.
This massive meal totaled nearly 29,000 calories – more than 14 times the recommended daily intake for an adult male. Simmons managed to consume about half of this feast before his execution in 2012. His outrageous order sparked debate about the ethics and limits of last meal requests, highlighting the sometimes extravagant nature of this centuries-old tradition. It’s a stark reminder of the excesses some condemned prisoners indulge in during their final hours, perhaps as a last grasp at the pleasures of life.
3. James Edward Smith’s Dirt Debacle
Sometimes, a last meal request is so unusual that prison officials simply can’t comply. Such was the case with James Edward Smith, a convicted murderer executed in Texas in 1990. Smith’s final meal request was truly one-of-a-kind: he asked for a lump of dirt. This wasn’t just any dirt, mind you. Smith specifically requested “a lump of dirt, or just a few grains of soil to be used in a death ritual.”
Smith’s request stemmed from his belief in Voodoo. He thought the dirt would aid in his reincarnation process. Unsurprisingly, prison officials denied this unusual request, citing health concerns. Instead, they served Smith a cup of yogurt as a substitute. This incident highlights the sometimes conflicting interests between a prisoner’s last wishes and the practical and safety concerns of the prison system. It also underscores the role that personal beliefs and superstitions can play in shaping these final requests, even when they push the boundaries of what’s considered acceptable or feasible.
4. John Wayne Gacy’s KFC Farewell
John Wayne Gacy, infamously known as the “Killer Clown,” chose a last meal that was as notorious as his crimes were horrific. Before his execution in 1994, Gacy requested a feast from KFC. His order included a bucket of original recipe chicken, a dozen fried shrimp, french fries, and a pound of strawberries. This meal choice was particularly poignant given Gacy’s past – he had once managed three KFC restaurants in Iowa.
Gacy’s last meal request seems to harken back to a time before his heinous crimes, perhaps a final nod to his life before infamy. The inclusion of strawberries alongside the fast-food fare adds an unexpectedly human touch to the order of a man convicted of murdering 33 young men and boys. It’s a stark reminder that even the most notorious criminals can have mundane tastes and preferences, creating an unsettling juxtaposition between their horrific acts and their everyday human qualities.
5. Lawrence Russell Brewer’s Uneaten Feast
Lawrence Russell Brewer, convicted for the horrific hate crime murder of James Byrd Jr., made headlines not just for his crimes, but for his outrageous last meal request that led to significant policy changes. Brewer ordered an elaborate feast: two chicken-fried steaks, a triple cheeseburger, fried okra, a pound of barbecue, three fajitas, a meat lover’s pizza, a pint of ice cream, and a slab of peanut butter fudge with crushed peanuts. However, when the meal arrived, Brewer refused to eat any of it, claiming he wasn’t hungry.
This act of apparent defiance led to immediate consequences. The very next day, Texas abolished the practice of allowing death row inmates to choose their last meals. Brewer’s case highlights the controversy surrounding last meal requests, with critics arguing that such indulgences are inappropriate for convicted murderers. It also demonstrates how the actions of one inmate can have far-reaching effects on prison policies, reshaping a long-standing tradition in the criminal justice system.
6. Aileen Wuornos’ Simple Coffee
Aileen Wuornos, one of America’s most infamous female serial killers, made a last meal choice that stands out for its striking simplicity. Unlike many of her counterparts who requested elaborate feasts, Wuornos declined a special last meal altogether. Instead, she asked for nothing more than a cup of coffee before her execution in 2002.
Wuornos’ modest request raises intriguing questions about her state of mind in her final hours. Was it a sign of resignation, or perhaps a final act of defiance against the system? The choice of coffee – a common, everyday drink – might be seen as a desire for normalcy in her last moments. It’s a stark contrast to the often extravagant or unusual requests made by other death row inmates, and perhaps reflects Wuornos’ complex and troubled life. Her simple last “meal” serves as a somber reminder that even in the face of execution, human preferences can be surprisingly understated.
7. Timothy McVeigh’s Ice Cream Indulgence
Timothy McVeigh, the man behind the devastating Oklahoma City bombing, made a last meal request that was both simple and indulgent. In his final hours before execution in 2001, McVeigh asked for two pints of mint chocolate chip ice cream. This choice stands out for its ordinariness – a common dessert that many people enjoy on a regular basis.
The simplicity of McVeigh’s request contrasts sharply with the magnitude of his crime, which killed 168 people and injured hundreds more. It’s a reminder that even those who commit unthinkable acts can have mundane tastes and preferences. The choice of ice cream – often associated with comfort and childhood nostalgia – creates an unsettling juxtaposition with McVeigh’s status as one of America’s most notorious domestic terrorists. His last meal serves as a chilling reminder of the complex nature of human beings, capable of both ordinary pleasures and extraordinary evil.
8. Philip Workman’s Charitable Request
Philip Workman’s last meal request stands out not for what he asked for himself, but for what he wanted to give to others. Convicted of murdering a police officer during a robbery in 1981, Workman was sentenced to death in Tennessee. For his last meal, he made an unusual and touching request: he asked that a large vegetarian pizza be given to a homeless person.
Prison officials denied Workman’s request, stating that they do not donate to charities. However, his wish inspired a wave of generosity. After news of his request spread, many people across Tennessee and in other parts of the United States ordered pizzas to be delivered to homeless shelters. This final act of kindness from a man facing execution sparked a momentary movement of compassion, turning a somber tradition into an opportunity for charitable giving. Workman’s request serves as a poignant reminder of the potential for humanity and redemption, even in the darkest of circumstances.
These bizarre last meal requests offer a unique window into the psyche of some of history’s most notorious criminals. From symbolic gestures to gluttonous feasts, each choice reveals something about the individual facing their final moments. While the practice of granting last meal requests continues to be debated, it remains a fascinating aspect of criminal justice, blending humanity with the harsh reality of capital punishment. These meals serve as the final chapters in the stories of infamous criminals, leaving us to ponder the complexities of human nature, even in its darkest manifestations.
