Kevin Ray Underwood, convicted of the 2006 murder of 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin, was executed by lethal injection on December 19, 2024—his 45th birthday—at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Underwood’s crime, driven by cannibalistic fantasies, involved luring Jamie to his apartment, where he brutally assaulted and killed her.
In his final statement, Underwood apologized to Jamie’s family, expressing remorse: “I can’t believe I did those things.” He also criticized the timing of his execution, calling it “needlessly cruel” to his own family.
Underwood’s last meal included a cheeseburger, chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes with gravy, pinto beans, fries with ketchup, and soda.
The execution marked the 25th and final one in the United States for the year 2024, reflecting the nation’s ongoing use of capital punishment for particularly heinous crimes.
Jamie Rose Bolin’s family, who witnessed the execution, expressed that while it brought a measure of justice, their grief remains profound. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond stated that justice was finally served for Jamie, expressing hope for peace for her family.
Underwood’s case has been a focal point in discussions about the death penalty, especially concerning individuals with mental health issues. His defense highlighted his mental health struggles, including bipolar disorder, but these arguments were ultimately dismissed by prosecutors and the victim’s family.
As the nation reflects on this execution, debates continue over the ethics and application of capital punishment, particularly in cases involving mental illness.
