Purkey had chosen pecan pie as his farewell supper but begged cops to hold it for him for later, seemingly ignorant that there would be no later for him.
Medical expert Dr. Gail Van Norman stated that Purkey most likely died a “painful” death instead than the planned painless one when it came time for his execution.
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, Purkey’s autopsy showed that he had experienced an abrupt buildup of fluid in both lungs, which would have caused him to cough up frothy, pink sputum and have trouble breathing.
The filling of Purkey’s lungs could only have occurred while he was still alive, according to Van Norman,
And the inmate would likely experience a near drowning ‘among the most excruciating feelings known to man’.
