Kevin Ray Underwood

Kevin Ray Underwood (December 19, 1979 – December 19, 2024) was an American convicted murderer who was sentenced to death for the murder of 10-year-old Jamie Rose Bolin (August 7, 1995 – April 12, 2006) in Purcell, Oklahoma. On April 12, 2006, Underwood beat, suffocated, and sexually assaulted Bolin before attempting to behead and eat her body. Underwood was given the death sentence following his 2008 conviction and was executed on December 19, 2024.

Crimes Underwood lived in the same apartment complex as Jamie and her father located in Purcell, Oklahoma. Following this, he suffocated Bolin with his hands. He told the agents that approximately fifteen to twenty minutes had passed before she died. He then attempted to rape Bolin's body but was unable to perform sexually. He then moved her to the bathtub and tried to decapitate her with a knife but was unsuccessful. He wrapped Bolin's body in plastic sheeting and placed it in a large plastic container, which he hid in his closet. He also dismantled Bolin's bicycle and hid it inside his apartment to make it look like she had left the apartment complex.

Trial and appeals On February 29, 2008, a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder.

On April 3, 2008, McClain County District Judge Candace Blalock approved the recommended death sentence.

On July 1, 2022, Underwood was one of 25 death row inmates to be scheduled for execution in Oklahoma. He was initially scheduled to be executed on December 7, 2023. His execution was later postponed due to a request by Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who asked for sixty days between executions rather than thirty "to alleviate the burden on DOC personnel".

On October 1, 2024, Underwood's second death warrant was released, and he was scheduled for execution on December 19, 2024, his 45th birthday.

Underwood's clemency hearing was originally supposed to happen on December 4, 2024. However it was cancelled due to Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board losing two of its five voting members. After another cancelled clemency hearing that was supposed to happen on December 9, the clemency hearing eventually took place on December 13, 2024. During the clemency hearing Underwood expressed remorse for the murder of Jamie Rose Bolin, stating: "I recognize that although I do not want to die… I deserve to for what I did", he said in a tearful two-minute statement at his clemency hearing. "And if my death could… change what I did, I would gladly die". The board voted 3–0 against recommending clemency. Attorney General Gentner Drummond and his assistants told the board Underwood's crimes "remain some of the most depraved and notorious in Oklahoma history".

Execution On the morning of December 19, 2024, Underwood was executed via lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. He was pronounced dead at 10:14 a.m.