A Virginia college graduate has garnered widespread attention after creating and reviewing the final meals of notorious death row inmates. Josh Slavin, 23, embarked on this unique project on September 1, posting 26 videos on Instagram of himself tasting and critiquing the last meals of infamous serial killers, such as Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and Steven Michael Woods. His Instagram posts have gone viral, sparking discussions around the rarity of being able to choose a last meal before facing death. Slavin’s videos document his trips to the grocery store to shop for ingredients, followed by him cooking the meals and providing his ratings based on taste, quantity, and quality.
Ted Bundy, well-known for admitting to the murder of 30 female college students across multiple states, opted not to make a final meal request. Instead, he was given a ‘default’ meal by the state of Florida, which consisted of steaks, eggs, toast, hash browns, milk, and juice. Slavin judged the meal positively, despite acknowledging Bundy’s extensive criminal activities. Similarly, Slavin rated the final meals of other notorious criminals, each with its own unique culinary choices and personal stories.
John Wayne Gacy, infamously known as the ‘serial killer clown’, requested one dozen fried shrimp, a side of fries, a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, one pound of strawberries, and a glass of Diet Coke as his final meal. Slavin, the critic, didn’t refrain from praising the variety and quantity of Gacy’s meal, awarding it an A rating.
For his final meal, Ricky Ray Rector requested a surf-and-turf meal that included a lobster tail, steak, pecan pie, and cherry Kool-Aid. Slavin thought the meal was a decent choice but felt it needed more sides and a better drink. Rector’s tragic history as a murderer unfolded in first-hand reports from witnesses, detailing the horrific events surrounding his crimes and eventual execution.
Steven Michael Woods, convicted for his involvement in the slayings of two people in north Texas, made an extensive final meal request consisting of a wide array of savory and sweet dishes. Slavin lauded the meal as superb, rating it as ‘THE BEST’. This article does not delve into personal opinions on the death penalty or any topic related to it; instead, it focuses on presenting Slavin’s unique endeavorin a manner that is both informative and engaging.