A man’s final words before facing a firing squad in South Carolina sent shockwaves through the community on 7 March 2025. Brad Sigmon, 67, was executed at the Broad River Correctional Institute for the brutal murders of his ex-girlfriend’s parents in 2001. The double murder, which rocked Greenville County, resulted in a decades-long legal battle that culminated in Sigmon’s historic execution.
Sigmon’s Final Moments and Last Words
As reported by the Associated Press, Sigmon delivered a final statement urging fellow Christians to help end the death penalty before three prison employees used rifles to carry out his execution. The witnesses present included three members of the victims’ family, Sigmon’s attorney and spiritual adviser, a representative from the prosecuting solicitor’s office, a sheriff’s investigator, and three members of the media.
According to the Post and Courier, a group of protesters gathered outside the prison, holding signs that read ‘All life is precious’ and ‘Execute justice, not people.’ The emotional weight of the moment was palpable as the firing squad carried out the sentence, marking a significant moment in South Carolina’s history.
The Murders That Led to His Execution
Sigmon’s path to the firing squad began with the murders of David Larke, 62, and Gladys Larke, 59, in 2001. Motivated by an obsession with their daughter, Rebecca Barbare, Sigmon broke into their home and attacked them with a baseball bat, inflicting fatal wounds. He then kidnapped Barbare at gunpoint, though she managed to escape, sustaining a gunshot wound in the process.
Captured days later, Sigmon’s heinous crimes set off a legal battle that ultimately led to his execution. The chilling details of the murders underscored the gravity of his actions and the impact on the victims’ family and the community at large.
A Controversial Execution Method
Sigmon’s execution by firing squad marked a significant departure from typical lethal injection protocols in South Carolina. The state’s struggles to obtain lethal injection drugs prompted the adoption of the firing squad as an alternative method in 2021, putting it in the company of states like Utah, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Idaho.
Described as quick but disturbing, Sigmon’s execution garnered significant attention for its unconventional method. Witnesses observed the precise moment when the firing squad carried out the sentence, painting a vivid picture of the event as it unfolded. The intensity of the moment underscored the gravity of the situation and reignited debates about the morality of capital punishment.
Legal Challenges and Last-Minute Appeals
In the lead-up to Sigmon’s execution, his legal team mounted several challenges to the process, citing concerns about the secrecy surrounding lethal injection drugs in South Carolina. A last-minute appeal to the US Supreme Court sought to delay the execution, arguing that Sigmon had not been adequately informed about his options.
Despite these efforts, the court denied the appeal, setting the stage for Sigmon’s fate to be carried out by firing squad. The legal wrangling leading up to the execution shed light on the complexities of the capital punishment system and the ethical dilemmas it poses for those involved.
Reaction from Victims’ Families and the Public
As the date of Sigmon’s execution neared, reactions from the victims’ family and the public underscored the emotional toll of the events. Rebecca Barbare, the survivor of Sigmon’s attack, chose not to attend the execution, citing her faith as a source of forgiveness. However, her son, Ricky Sims, was present, offering a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of Sigmon’s crimes.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster’s denial of Sigmon’s clemency request added another layer of finality to the proceedings, cementing the state’s position on the death penalty. The broader public discourse surrounding Sigmon’s execution highlighted the ongoing national debate on capital punishment, sparking renewed discussions about the efficacy and ethics of such practices.
As South Carolina grapples with its stance on the death penalty and the methods by which it is carried out, the legacy of Brad Sigmon’s execution will continue to shape the state’s legal landscape for years to come.
