**Mississippi Man Convicted of 1993 Kidnapping, Rape, and Murder Executed After 30 Years on Death Row**
*Published: October 16, 2025, 1:56 p.m. ET*
A Mississippi man convicted of kidnapping, raping, and killing a college student in 1993 embraced religion as he addressed his victim’s family moments before his execution, RadarOnline.com reports.
Charles Crawford spent more than 30 years on death row before receiving a lethal injection on Wednesday, October 15. He was convicted of murdering 20-year-old Kirsty Ray, a community college student, in Tippah County, northern Mississippi, in the early 1990s.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves detailed the horrific crime in a Facebook post, revealing:
“Ms. Ray’s hands were cuffed behind her back, a sock had been stuffed in her mouth, and her jeans were pulled down below her hips. DNA evidence from the crime scene matched DNA samples taken from Mr. Crawford.”
### Final Words Before Execution
Before being executed at age 59, Crawford addressed his family, saying:
“To my family, I love you. I’m at peace. I’ve got God’s peace… I’ll be in heaven.”
He then spoke directly to Ray’s family, stating:
“To the victim’s family, true closure and true peace, you cannot reach that without God.”
Crawford’s final words were:
“Thank you, God, for giving me the peace that I have.”
### Last Meal and Final Moments
Officials with the Mississippi Department of Corrections confirmed that Crawford spent time with his family and a preacher on the afternoon of his execution. He requested a simple last meal consisting of a double cheeseburger, French fries, peach cobbler, and chocolate ice cream.
Witnesses reported that Crawford took deep breaths as the execution began shortly after 6:00 p.m. Five minutes later, he was declared unconscious. At 6:08 p.m., observers noted his breathing became slower and shallower, accompanied by slight quivering of his mouth. A minute later, he took a final deep breath, and his chest movement ceased.
### The Crime and Investigation
Crawford was convicted of abducting Kirsty Ray from her parents’ home in Tippah County on January 29, 1993. According to court records, when Ray’s mother returned home, her daughter’s car was missing, and a handwritten ransom note had been left on the kitchen table.
On the same day, investigators discovered a second ransom note made from magazine cutouts hidden in the attic of Crawford’s former father-in-law. This note mentioned a woman named Jennifer and was subsequently turned over to the authorities.
A manhunt ensued, and Crawford was arrested the following day. He claimed to have been returning from a hunting trip and later told authorities he had blacked out and did not remember killing Ray.
### Prior Crimes and Legal Proceedings
At the time of his arrest for Ray’s murder, Crawford was just days away from going to trial on separate assault charges dating back to 1991. Those charges involved accusations of raping a 17-year-old girl and striking her friend with a hammer.
Once again, Crawford claimed to have blacked out and did not recall committing either crime. However, jurors were unconvinced, and he was convicted in both cases. In 1994, he was sentenced to death.
### Appeals and Closure
Over the next three decades, Crawford made numerous attempts to overturn his death sentence but was unsuccessful.
Just days before the execution, Governor Tate Reeves posted on social media:
“Mississippi is praying for Ms. Ray and her family. Justice must be served on behalf of victims. In Mississippi, it will be.”
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This execution closes a tragic chapter that spanned more than 30 years in Mississippi’s criminal justice history.
https://radaronline.com/p/mississippi-death-row-inmate-charles-crawford-last-words-execution-raping-killing-college-student/
