A convicted double murderer, Brad Keith Sigmon, faced his execution on death row after brutally killing his ex-girlfriend’s parents. Sigmon, aged 67, was put to death by a firing squad in South Carolina for the murders of David and Gladys Larke. The violent incident occurred when Sigmon, upset over his breakup with Rebecca Barbare, broke into the Larke’s home in Greenville County.
Following a night of substance abuse, Sigmon viciously attacked the Larke couple with a baseball bat, inflicting fatal blows to their heads. During the 2002 trial, it was revealed that David suffered severe head injuries. Sigmon also attempted to abduct Rebecca at gunpoint but she managed to escape unharmed.
After eluding authorities for 11 days, Sigmon was eventually captured in Tennessee. He was sentenced to death in 2002 and awaited his execution on death row until early March 2025. Opting for a firing squad over the electric chair, Sigmon expressed fear of being burned alive.
On March 8, 2025, Sigmon was executed at the South Carolina Department of Corrections. Prior to his death, he made a statement through his lawyer urging an end to the death penalty, emphasizing the importance of love and mercy. The execution took place with three volunteer riflemen firing .308 Winchester Tap Urban bullets, sparking discussions among experts about the pain inflicted on victims.
The solemn event was witnessed by members of the Larke family, as well as Sigmon’s spiritual adviser. Despite his demise, Sigmon’s chest moved several times post-execution. The execution method and its impact on the condemned remain topics of debate among professionals in the field.