JACKSON, Miss. — Charles Crawford, 59, was executed on Wednesday, Oct. 15, for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of 20-year-old community college student Kirsty Ray in Tippah County, Mississippi, more than 30 years ago.
Crawford spent over three decades on death row before receiving a lethal injection just after 6:00 p.m. Witnesses reported he took deep breaths as the execution began, and he was declared unconscious within five minutes.
Before his death, Crawford addressed his family:
“To my family, I love you. I’m at peace. I’ve got God’s peace…I’ll be in heaven.”
He also spoke to the victim’s family:
“To the victim’s family, true closure and true peace, you cannot reach that without God.”
His final words were:
“Thank you, God, for giving me the peace that I have.”
Crawford requested a last meal of a double cheeseburger, French fries, peach cobbler, and chocolate ice cream.
The Crime
On Jan. 29, 1993, Crawford abducted Ray from her parents’ home. Investigators found ransom notes left at the home and in the attic of Crawford’s former father-in-law. DNA evidence matched Crawford, and he was arrested the following day.
At the time of his arrest, Crawford claimed blackouts prevented him from remembering the murder. He had also been facing trial for a 1991 assault involving the rape of a 17-year-old and an attack with a hammer. Despite his claims of memory loss, he was convicted and sentenced to death in 1994.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves posted on social media before the execution:
“Mississippi is praying for Ms. Ray and her family. Justice must be served on behalf of victims. In Mississippi, it will be.”
Crawford spent decades appealing his sentence, but the Supreme Court did not halt or delay the execution.
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