Death Row Inmate’s Final Four Words Leave Son and Nation Stunned
Warning upfront: this piece delves into some seriously heavy stuff—violence and death, so brace yourself. Now, have you ever pondered what last words might crack through decades of silence for a man on death row? Anthony Darrell Hines, after more than 40 years behind bars in Tennessee, chose just four haunting words to send to his son before meeting his fate at 66. Yep, just four. It sparks that gnarly question—can a lifetime, shadowed by unforgivable acts and marred by illness, ever be summed up in a whisper? Hines’ final chapter isn’t just about the fatal injection at 10:43 am on August 13, but the poignant, tear-tinged reunion with a son who hadn’t seen him since toddlerhood. Meanwhile, the family of Catherine Jean Jenkins—the woman whose life was brutally stolen—find some grim solace, their decades of grief finally met with what they call justice. As the execution room’s solemn quiet was pierced by those last words, it echoed the raw, bittersweet complexity of closure and loss. Fascinating, tragic, and deeply human—this story definitely lingers.
Warning: This article contains discussion of violence and death which some readers may find distressing.
Death row inmate Anthony Darrell Hines shared a haunting four word message for his son before being executed in Tennessee on Thursday.
Hines, 66, was put to death by lethal injection at 10:43 am on 13 August after spending more than four decades on death row.
He was sentenced to death for the March 1985 murder of Catherine Jean Jenkins.
Catherine, a 54-year-old mother and grandmother, worked as a housekeeper in a motel in Kingston Springs and was robbed by Hines before being stabbed to death.
During his time on death row, Hines suffered two strokes and was left with limited use of the left side of his body as well as cognitive impairment, The Tennessean reports.
Anthony Darrell Hines used his final words to send a message to his son (Tennessee Department of Corrections)
His legal team said it was difficult for him to speak, eat and swallow and has asked for his death sentence to be commuted to life in prison due to his medical problems, but was unsuccessful.
For his final meal, Hines requested fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, a chicken sandwich, corn, coleslaw, fries, biscuits and sweet tea, according to a spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Correction.
At 10.30am, Hines was strapped into a gurney and had IV lines inserted into his arms.
A spiritual advisor was in the chamber with him during the execution.
Shortly before he was given the lethal injection, Hines was asked if he had any last words and initially said: “Not right now, thank you.”
However, Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada said he then issued a message to his son, adding: “Tell my son hello.”
Hines’ son, who did not want to be named, as in the witness room during the execution.
According to CBS News, Hines’ son had only reconnected with his dad four days ago, having not seen him since he was three-years-old.
Several outlets reported that the son had ‘tears in his eyes’ as he left the witness room following the execution.
The victim’s family spoke out
Speaking after the execution, members of Catherine’s family said they felt as though they finally had justice.
Denis Jenkins, Catherine’s son, said: “For those of you that may be concerned as to whether or not this animal suffered, let me tell you what he did to my mother 41 years ago.
“He stabbed her 13 times, one of which went all the way through and came out her back. He then went on to sexually assault her with the same knife he just stabbed her with.
Catherine Jean Jenkins’ son Denis spoke out after the execution (WKRN)
“I hope he did suffer. hope he felt severe pain because what he did to my mother is nothing to what he may have just gone through.”
Catherine’s daughter Melissa Jenkins said the execution meant the family could ‘close this chapter’ and start to move on.
“For four decades, our family has endured the unimaginable pain and grief of her death. There is a deep void that will never be filled. A lifetime of memories we were denied because she was taken from us,” she said.
“How do we move forward from a loss like this? The truth is, we never truly do. We will always mourn the wonderful person my mother was, even as we continue living our lives.”
Hines is one of three men to be executed in the US on 13 August, alongside 70-year-old Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez in Alabama and Jeremy Williams, 42, in Oklahoma.
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