In 2020, Wesley Ira Purkey, a federal death row inmate, was executed in Indiana following a long and deeply troubling legal process. His case, which involved extremely violent offenses committed decades earlier, became the focus of widespread attention not only because of the nature of his crimes, but also due to concerns surrounding his mental health and the physical suffering he may have experienced during his final moments.

Purkey, who was 68 at the time of his execution, had been convicted of the 1998 kidnapping and killing of 16-year-old Jennifer Long, a high school student from Missouri. According to court records, Jennifer was last seen outside a local supermarket. She had spent the day at school and was believed to be headed home when she encountered Purkey, who lured her into his vehicle. What happened next was both tragic and horrific. He took her to his home, where she was subjected to violence that ultimately resulted in her death.

Afterward, he took steps to conceal the crime in an elaborate and disturbing manner. Investigators later discovered that Purkey had attempted to destroy evidence in ways meant to prevent discovery. For years, the case remained unsolved until Purkey, already in custody for a separate crime, volunteered information about the incident.

Later that same year, while working as a plumber, Purkey also took the life of Mary Bales, an 80-year-old woman who lived alone. According to official reports, he entered her residence and used a blunt object to end her life. He then attempted to cover up his actions by starting a fire in her home. Neighbors, who noticed unusual activity, reported their suspicions to authorities. Police responded quickly and eventually arrested him.

Initially, Purkey pled guilty to Bales’ death and received a life sentence in state prison. However, while serving that sentence, he offered details about Jennifer Long’s case in what seemed to be an effort to transfer from state to federal prison. Unfortunately for him, he failed to secure any formal agreement with prosecutors in exchange for this admission. This opened the door for federal authorities to pursue charges against him in Long’s case, ultimately leading to his being tried in federal court and sentenced to death.

The decision to pursue the death penalty was controversial, not only because of the gruesome nature of the crimes but also because of questions regarding Purkey’s mental competence. As his execution date approached, his attorneys filed numerous appeals, arguing that their client was suffering from progressive dementia, including symptoms consistent with Alzheimer’s disease. They claimed that his cognitive decline was so severe he no longer understood why he was being executed, a condition which, if proven, could have rendered him ineligible for execution under U.S. law.

One striking detail from the final days of Purkey’s life raised eyebrows. According to reports from The Associated Press, the day before his scheduled execution, Purkey allegedly saw Bill Clinton on television and told others that he planned to vote for him in the next presidential election. Given that Clinton had not been a candidate for many years, this statement was presented by his legal team as further evidence of his mental deterioration and inability to comprehend reality.

Despite these appeals and the questions surrounding his mental state, the courts ultimately allowed the execution to proceed.

Purkey’s final moments drew fresh controversy after his autopsy results became public. The execution was carried out using the drug pentobarbital, which is commonly used in lethal injections. However, medical experts have raised serious concerns about the suffering it can cause during the dying process.

Dr. Gail Van Norman, a professor and anesthesiologist who has studied the effects of execution drugs, told media outlets that pentobarbital can produce sensations of extreme discomfort in the moments before death. According to her, individuals injected with the drug may experience sensations similar to drowning or suffocation due to the rapid buildup of fluid in the lungs.

In Purkey’s case, an autopsy revealed signs of “severe bilateral acute pulmonary edema,” meaning that both of his lungs filled with fluid. There was also foam present in his airways, suggesting he may have been conscious long enough to feel some of this distress. These findings have led some to argue that his death may not have been as painless as intended.

The debate over the use of pentobarbital continues to grow. Critics argue that the drug’s use may violate protections against cruel and unusual punishment, particularly when used on individuals who are elderly, mentally impaired, or physically vulnerable.

Before his execution, Purkey was offered the opportunity to make a final statement. In that moment, he expressed remorse for the harm he caused, specifically mentioning the family of Jennifer Long and his own daughter. “I deeply regret the pain and suffering I caused to Jennifer’s family,” he said. “I am deeply sorry. I deeply regret