Harold Wayne Nichols Executed After 35 Years on Death Row

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Harold Wayne Nichols was executed on December 11 following his conviction and sentencing for the murder of Karen Pulley.

Nichols was executed by lethal injection at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee.

He was pronounced dead at 10:39 a.m.

His last words were:

“To the people I’ve harmed, I’m sorry. To my family, know that I love you. I know where I’m going to. I’m ready to go home.”

– Harold Wayne Nichols said.

Known as “The Red Headed Stranger,” Nichols was also charged with more than a dozen rapes which escalated in violence.

Nichols was on death row for 35 years.

“Our family was destroyed by evil that night in September 1988, when Karen was raped and violently beaten to death in her own bedroom, left to die alone, terribly injured, broken, bleeding, and terrified.” … “We are relieved that this nightmare is over and take comfort knowing he never again will be able to harm anyone else. Moving forward our family will concentrate on the happy memories of Karen and will never again be re-traumatized by this monster.”

– Jeff & Lisette (Pulley) Monroe said in a statement.

News 12’s Nick Hill witnessed and will be reporting on the execution.

We will have more updates as they come available.