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An axe-wielding mass murderer who killed five people had some chilling final words ahead of his execution last week.
Death row inmate Derrick Dearman died by way of lethal injection at Holman prison in Atmore, southern Alabama, at 6.14pm last Thursday (October 17).
In 2016, the then 27-year-old broke into the home of his former girlfriend Lenata Lester's brother in Citronelle, Alabama, where she had been staying to shelter from him due to him being abusive.
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He then proceeded to murder Joseph Adam Turner, who was Lester's brother, his wife Shannon Melissa Randall, Justin Kaleb Reed and his five-month pregnant wife Chelsea Marie Reed, as well as Robert Lee Brown, who also lived under the same roof.
Once inside, he attacked and killed them separately using an axe, a pistol, and a shotgun.
Following the killings, Dearman kidnapped Lester and her brother's child and drove them to his father's house, before finally letting them go.
After Lester phoned the police, he handed himself in and later blamed his actions on drugs, telling reporters that he was high on methamphetamine when he went into the home and that the 'drugs were making me think things that weren't really there happening'.
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Just days before his execution last week, the 36-year-old wrote what would be some of his final words in a disturbing final letter.
It read: "I am writing this letter to inform the courts and the state of Alabama that I am dropping my appeals and ask that my sentence of death be carried out.
"I was not forced or guided into this decision, this decision is my own, I am of a sound mind and body. I am fully aware of all consequences related to this decision."
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It then went on to list three reasons as to why he opted to cancel his appeal.
"I am guilty, I plead guilty, and was found guilty, I was sentenced to death after being found guilty and I 100% agree with the sentencing and believe it is fair," it read.
"It is not fair to the victims or their families to continue to delay the justice they so rightly deserve, I am guilty and was fairly sentenced to death.
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"It is a waste of the courts time, resources and precious taxpayers dollars to continue to use my appeals when I am guilty and was fairly sentenced to death."
Adding: "Every word of this letter is my own his is my final decision in this matter."
On the day of his execution, Dearman ordered a seafood platter for his final meal.
Addressing his victim's family, he said: "Forgive me. This is not for me. This is for you. I’ve taken so much," before telling his family: "Y’all already know I love y’all."
Joe Yates