A convicted double murderer, Brad Keith Sigmon, was executed by firing squad at the age of 67 in South Carolina, US, following the brutal killing of his ex-girlfriend’s parents. The tragic incident occurred after Sigmon’s ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Barbare, ended their relationship, leading him to break into the home of David and Gladys Larke in Greenville County. The couple, who had been together for about three years, resided near the Larke’s residence in a trailer park.
After a night of heavy drinking and drug use, Sigmon shared his intention with a friend to seek revenge on Rebecca and harm her parents. Armed with a baseball bat, Sigmon viciously attacked both parents, striking them nine times each on the head during the 2001 attack. The court disclosed that David suffered severe head injuries, almost splitting his skull in two. Subsequently, Sigmon stole David’s firearm and attempted to force Rebecca into a car, but she managed to escape as he fired shots in her direction.
Following the murders, Sigmon eluded authorities, triggering an 11-day manhunt that concluded in Tennessee. He was sentenced in 2002 and spent years on death row until his execution in early March 2025. Sigmon chose death by firing squad over the electric chair due to concerns about the perceived cruelty of the latter method.
On the day of his execution, March 8, 2025, Sigmon was secured in a chair at the South Carolina Department of Corrections’s death chamber. As a hood covered his head and a target was placed on his chest, three volunteer riflemen stood ready behind a curtain less than fifteen feet away. His final words, delivered by his lawyer, appealed for love and urged Christians to help end the death penalty, expressing regret for his past actions.
During the execution, three members of the Larke family and Sigmon’s spiritual adviser were present. Sigmon exhibited physical movements after being shot, using .308 Winchester Tap Urban bullets for the execution, sparking ongoing debate among experts regarding the pain inflicted on victims.