15 Last Meals Death-Row Prisoners Really Asked For

From lobster to ice cream, the final requests of infamous criminals reveal their personalities.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:00pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single olive with the pit still in it, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the somber and contemplative nature of a condemned prisoner's final moments.A prisoner's final wish for peace, captured in the stark light of a last meal.Oklahoma City Today

This article explores the last meal requests of various death row inmates, providing insight into the personalities and final wishes of some of the most notorious criminals. The list covers a range of requests, from elaborate seafood feasts to simple comfort foods, highlighting the diverse and sometimes surprising choices made by these individuals in their final hours.

Why it matters

The last meal tradition for death row inmates has become a window into the psyche of these individuals, allowing us to glimpse their final moments and the ways in which they chose to spend them. These requests offer a unique perspective on the complex and often contradictory nature of human behavior, even in the face of the ultimate consequence.

The details

The article covers 15 different death row inmates and their last meal requests, ranging from the extravagant (lobster tail, fried shrimp, baked potato) to the humble (a single olive with the pit still in it). Some inmates chose comfort foods like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and pie, while others requested more unusual items like mint chocolate chip ice cream or a combination of multiple dishes. The diversity of these requests reflects the unique personalities and perspectives of the individuals involved.

  • The last meals were requested by the inmates in the years ranging from 1963 to 2010, with the most recent being in 2010.

The players

John Spenkelink

He committed multiple murders in Florida and was executed in 1999.

James Smith and Charles Brooks

They were accused of robbery and double murder and shared a humble last meal.

Victor Feguer

He kidnapped and murdered a doctor and was executed in 1963.

John Wayne Gacy

He killed 33 men and boys and was executed in 1994.

Charles Ng

He was a serial killer who murdered tourists in Asia and was executed in 1996.

Lemuel Smith

He poisoned his son with Halloween candy and was executed in 1984.

Kenneth McDuff

He killed a man during an attempted escape from a courthouse in 1985 and was executed in 2010.

James Smith

He was accused of the murder of a convenience store clerk during a robbery and was executed in 1987.

Aileen Wuornos

She murdered a woman and was executed in 2002.

Ted Bundy

A serial killer behind the murders of many young women who was executed in 1989.

Teresa Lewis

Convicted of killing her husband and stepson. Executed in 2010.

Timothy McVeigh

He carried out the Oklahoma City bombing, where 168 people died, and was executed in 2001.

Robert Alton Harris

He killed a police officer and was executed in 1992.

Stanley Tookie Williams

He was convicted of shooting and killing the manager of a club and was executed in 2006.

William Bonin

He was known as the "freeway killer", convicted of 14 murders, and was executed in 1996.

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What they’re saying

“He asked for a single olive with the pit still in it, telling guards he hoped an olive tree would sprout from his grave as a sign of peace.”

— Victor Feguer

“He declined the special request so he was given the traditional last meal which he also didn't eat.”

— Ted Bundy

“He asked for steak, fried chicken, cherry kool-aid, and a pecan pie he saved for "later".”

— Robert Alton Harris

“He declined a last meal and insisted he was innocent.”

— Stanley Tookie Williams

“He requested two pizzas and multiple cans of soda.”

— William Bonin

The takeaway

The diverse and sometimes surprising last meal requests of these death row inmates offer a unique window into their personalities and final moments, providing insight into the complex and often contradictory nature of human behavior even in the face of the ultimate consequence.