One Of Arizona’s Most Prolific Serial Killers Sentenced To Death: “He’s A Monster”

Summary

---

Podcast Summary:

Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Episode: "One Of Arizona’s Most Prolific Serial Killers Sentenced To Death: ‘He’s A Monster’"
Date: December 21, 2025
Hosts: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts

---

Episode Overview

In this gripping episode, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes dissect the conviction and sentencing of Cleophas Cooksey Jr., one of Arizona’s most notorious serial killers. The discussion explores the shocking details of his crimes—a 2017 spree that left at least nine dead in just 21 days. The hosts delve into the community’s terror, the complexities of the legal proceedings, the lingering mysteries of Cooksey’s motives, and broader questions about the death penalty in Arizona and the U.S.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Scope and Shock of the Case

• Sentencing & Numbers Game:
  • Cleophas Cooksey Jr. was sentenced to death for six of eight murder convictions, part of a spree that police believe may have included nine killings ([02:55], [03:31]).
  • The discussion highlights confusion over the numbers due to hung juries on two counts and the possibility of retrials for those specific murders.

“He was on trial for eight killings, got the death penalty for six. It's a little confusing, but the state of Arizona is saying this might be serious enough. We go back and fight for the other two.” — T.J. Holmes [02:55]

• Why Pursue More Death Sentences?
  • Amy questions the practicality of retrying Cooksey for his mother and stepfather’s deaths when he already faces the death penalty ([03:31]).
  • T.J. suggests the motivation is rooted in the gravity and community impact of his spree ([03:55]).

The Crime Spree: Randomness & Ruthlessness

• Unprecedented Brutality in Phoenix
  • Nine people were shot and killed over 21 days—most with no apparent connection to Cooksey ([04:47], [04:51]).
  • The sheer randomness sowed confusion among police and paralyzed the community with fear.

“Nine people killed in 21 days.” — Amy Robach [04:47]

• Investigation & Connection of Crimes
  • Police only connected the dots via forensic evidence, linking the murders through Cooksey’s mistakes in handling evidence and keeping “tokens” from victims ([05:31]).

Victims and Methods

• Victim Profiles
  • The spree included young men killed while parked or walking, and random apartment shootings.
  • One especially harrowing case involved Maria Villanueva, who was abducted, sexually assaulted, and murdered ([10:28]).

“He grabbed her as she was walking to her car, made her sit in the front passenger seat… her body was found the next day, half naked in Phoenix.” — Amy Robach [10:28]

• Personal Connections
  • The final victims were Cooksey’s own mother, Renee, and stepfather, Edward—crimes that particularly unsettled even hardened observers.
  • One family friend left the sentencing saying, “He's a monster and he doesn't have any heart. And he said he wants him to die for what he's done.” — as reported by Amy Robach [06:35]

The Elusive Motive & Nature of Evil

• No clear motive has ever been established for the spree. Both hosts grappled with the psychological and philosophical implications.

“There was no real motive in this case that anyone's been able to figure out... that is terrifying to think about.”
— Amy Robach [06:35], T.J. Holmes [08:33]

• Observers—victims’ friends, police, and prosecutors—often resorted to calling Cooksey “evil.”

Legal Complexities & Delays

• Slow Justice in Arizona
  • The murders occurred in late 2017; Cooksey was not brought to trial and sentenced until 2025—an eight-year gap ([13:03]).
  • The hosts express frustration at the slow pace, drawing comparisons to other Arizona serial murder cases that remain unresolved even longer ([18:58]).

“Can you imagine being a juror sitting through all that testimony all those months, for all these months, and just now, this week, he finally was sentenced…?” — Amy Robach [13:31]

The Death Penalty Debate

• DA’s Vengeance Argument

  • The district attorney insists, “Death is the only just punishment in this case. Anyone who questions why we need the death penalty needs to look no further than this case.” — Paraphrased, Amy Robach [15:22]
  • Amy and T.J. examine whether the death penalty functions as deterrence or simply vengeance, noting the DA’s justification echoes the latter ([16:17]).

• Execution Statistics

  • Arizona rarely carries out executions despite a significant death row population. Only two executions occurred in 2025 ([18:18]).
  • Broader context: 2025 saw 47 executions nationwide—the highest since 2009 ([20:34]).

“Arizona... is not a state that executes a lot of people, even though they got quite a few on death row.” — T.J. Holmes [14:07]

• Systemic Critiques
  • The hosts voice frustration at delays and inefficiencies, noting families may wait decades for justice, which undermines both deterrence and closure ([18:58], [19:42]).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Motive and Evil:

  “It's tough to understand... to think that just somebody happened to be a bad dude and decide to consciously decide to be this type of evil.” — T.J. Holmes [07:24]

• Victims' Friend:

  “He's a monster and he doesn't have any heart. He wants him to die for what he's done.” — Recap from friend’s courtroom comments, Amy Robach [06:35]

• On Delays:

  “Are you really telling me you're going to make these families who lost a loved one in 2016 wait and wait for 50 years for justice to be served? We've got to fix that one.” — T.J. Holmes [19:54]

• On the Justice System:

  “That's not fair to the accused, and it's not fair to the victim’s families.” — Amy Robach [20:17]

• On Community Impact:

  “He targeted his victims when they were vulnerable… when their guards were down, when they felt that they were safe and secure. And he took that away from these people and perhaps the community…” — Amy Robach [17:39]

---

Structured Timeline & Timestamps

• [02:55] — Episode launches into the main story and details sentencing confusion.
• [03:31 - 04:51] — Discussion of total victims, timeline, and the terror in Phoenix.
• [05:31] — How police connected Cooksey to the spree via forensic evidence.
• [06:06 - 07:47] — Familial victims, personal commentaries, and the absence of clear motive.
• [09:42 - 10:57] — Specific victim stories, randomness of attacks, and escalation to sexual assault.
• [11:55 - 12:55] — Arrest of Cooksey, police intervention, and immediate aftermath.
• [13:03 - 13:31] — Legal process delays and trial logistics.
• [15:22 - 17:11] — DA’s rationale for death penalty, hosts’ debate on vengeance vs. deterrence.
• [18:18 - 19:54] — Arizona’s slow execution pace, comparison to other cases.
• [20:13 - 20:30] — Broader reflection on justice delays for victims’ families.
• [20:34] — 2025 execution statistics and national context.
• [21:03 - 22:22] — Brief mention of a potential last-minute execution in Georgia.

---

Tone and Speaker Dynamics

• The tone alternates between professional, analytical, and emotionally engaged. Both hosts maintain a sense of outrage and empathy, sharing the public’s bewilderment and frustration but keeping the conversation respectful and fact-driven.

---

Conclusion

This episode offers an in-depth examination not only of the crimes of Cleophas Cooksey Jr. but also of the systemic and philosophical issues surrounding the death penalty. Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes provide context, detail, and thoughtful debate, making it both informative and compelling for listeners seeking to understand the human and societal impact of serial violence and capital punishment.

---

Transcript

[Amy Robach]

This is an I Heart Podcast guaranteed.

[Commercial Announcer]

Human on December 19. Based on the best selling novel the Housemaid, Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney star in a wildly entertaining thriller about a live in housemaid and the wealthy Winchester family.

[TJ Holmes]

The Housemaid is a twisted world where perfection is an illusion and nothing is as it seems. The shocking twist will leave you guessing until the very end. Can you keep a secret?

[Commercial Announcer]

The Housemaid Rated R only in theaters December 19th. Get tickets now. Weight loss doesn't have to be complicated. Gimme.care gives you access to physician prescribed GLP1 treatments for just $130 per month. One flat price at all doses.

[TJ Holmes]

No insurance, no hidden fees, no in person visit. Message your physician anytime from your secure online portal and if eligible, you can your medication ships in discreet direct to door packaging.

[Commercial Announcer]

Start your journey at Gime Care. That's G I M M E Care Eligibility required.

[TJ Holmes]

Results vary.

[Cal Penn]

Hey audiobook lovers, I'm Cal Penn.

[TJ Holmes]

I'm Ed Helms.

[Cal Penn]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, Hearsay. The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[TJ Holmes]

Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and greatest audiobooks from audible.

[Cal Penn]

Listen to Earsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow Earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today. So let me get this straight. Your company has data here, there and everywhere, but your AI can't use the data because it's here, there and everywhere? Seems like something's missing. Every business has unique data. IBM helps your AI access your data wherever it lives. To change how you do business, let's create smarter business.

[TJ Holmes]

IBM.

[Pandora Jewelry Announcer]

Make their holiday unforgettable with a gift that says it all from Pandora Jewelry. A gift that tells a story and shows you know theirs that doesn't just sparkle, but speaks from new festive charms to forever rings and personal engravings, this season, give a gift that's perfectly theirs. Whether you're shopping for a shiny surprise for your significant other, matching bracelets to celebrate your friendship, or a heartfelt gift for a family member, say more this holiday season with Pandora. Shop [e-mail] or visit your closest Pandora store.

[TJ Holmes]

Hey there folks. It is Sunday, December 21, and the state of Arizona just imposed the death penalty on a man who was convicted in eight killings. Yes, he got the death penalty. So why is that still not not enough in this case? And with that, welcome to this episode of Amy and DJ Robes. I think I'm saying that right. For the state of Arizona. We'll explain here. Yes, this man got the death penalty for. He was on trial for eight killings, got the death penalty for six. It's a little confusing, but the state of Arizona is saying this might be serious enough. We go back and fight for the.

[Amy Robach]

Other two, and police say they think he killed a total of nine people. So there are all sorts of numbers around. But yes, if he's already gotten the death penalty for six murders, why go back and try to get the death penalty for the last two? That is going to be time consuming. And there's already been a ton of time, a ton of money and a ton of work put into this case. This, these, this killing spree happened in 2017.

[TJ Holmes]

But they're still considering, folks. And when you hear about this crime, you hear about how he terrorized this community, you might understand a little bit why the prosecution thinks it is worth it to go back and make sure that, that these other two killings also get the same punishment as the others.

[Amy Robach]

That does make sense, especially when you consider this Phoenix area. I did not realize, especially around that time period, there were a series of serial killers or serial shootings. This has been an area that has been plagued with killing sprees. I did not realize.

[TJ Holmes]

It's a weird thing to say, but that is true. And look, folk, we, we have sometimes you. There are serial killers that go over years time. This was a condensed, short burst of death in that area that scared the hell out of everybody because it didn't seem to be much of a rhyme or reason to what was going on.

[Amy Robach]

Yes, nine people killed in 21 days.

[TJ Holmes]

All shot. Right?

[Amy Robach]

All shot. Very, very scary stuff. And it was so. It was so confusing to police, they didn't even piece it together, that it could have all happened from one person because they were so random. Some of the killings there were personal connection to Cleophas Cooksey Jr. But in some of the killings, there was zero rhyme or reason to why he would go after or kill these folks. So it was incredibly confusing to police to put it all together and it was the evidence that linked these crimes. But if it weren't for that his maybe missteps or mistakes and keeping evidence and keeping tokens, they would never have figured out that one man was responsible for all these crimes.

[TJ Holmes]

And you heard that the one man, kind of a unique name. Cleophas Cooksey is the name. Cleophas Cooksey Jr. 43 years old, pretty young guy, certainly at this point. But these crimes were back in 2017. He was found guilty. They came back, and he will be getting the death penalty now. He was found guilty of eight counts of murder, found guilty of kidnapping, armed robbery, attempted sexual assault. In these cases, again, eight counts of murder. And I guess robes, he. I guess it certainly stands out among the dead. His mom and his stepdad. He killed and she shot and killed his mother and his stepdad.

[Amy Robach]

And oh, the irony, because perhaps that is the most egregious, not that any death is any more or less important than the other, but certainly to be able to kill your own mother and stepfather who raised you, by the way, that is disturbing. And those are the two deaths that the jury was hung over, whether or not to pursue the death penalty with him.

[TJ Holmes]

Did you get much of an explanation or reasoning for that? I mean, what did they struggle with on that one? Was it emotional struggling? Or was there something about the. Those particular deaths that was different?

[Amy Robach]

I read nothing about how or why, because this just happened. And perhaps the jurors haven't spoken out yet. There was no real motive in this case that anyone's been able to figure out. And also of Note, Cleophas Cooksey Jr. Had just gotten out of prison months before, after serving 16 years for a manslaughter conviction. So he just gets released from prison and months later goes on this killing spree. This man clearly had violence in his heart. One of his mother's and stepfather's best friends came to court for the sentencing this week. He said he went there to try and see because he said he watched Cleophas be raised from a child. He said, I've known him since he was little. I wanted to see if there was any remorse, if there was any goodness in his heart. And he came out of the courtroom this week and said he's a monster and he doesn't have any heart. And he said he wants him to die for what he's done.

[TJ Holmes]

I'm always curious what goes wrong. Something happened. You hear about these crimes that we're going to go through here quickly, but. Or you hear about it, something has to be off or wrong or like a legit illness, mental illness. It's tough to understand when you see stuff like this. To think that just somebody happened to be a bad dude and decide to consciously decide to be this type of evil is confusing.

[Amy Robach]

Evil is the word that people use when they describe this man. Because, look, it's. There are some murders that maybe you could justify or get your head around or understand. From an emotional sense connection. But when you just have someone have apparently that much rage that they will kill innocent people who are just in their car or walking to the bus or going about their business thinking that nothing could possibly go wrong because you've done nothing to no one. And yet somehow there's so much rage that you will kill an innocent person who you have zero connection to. That's hard to try to understand, you know.

[TJ Holmes]

And to what you're saying that we. He's responsible for nine deaths. He's been convicted of eight counts of murder. We have no idea.

[Pandora Jewelry Announcer]

Police.

[TJ Holmes]

Haven't you just mentioned motive? There's not one. Why did he do this? No explanation has ever been offered by authorities for he did because he was upset at this person or that person or this triggered him or that. Nothing that is terrifying to think about. People are out there and just the randomness of violence in life sometimes.

[Amy Robach]

And, and I think that is why these types of stories, serial killers, serial shootings not only are frightening as hell, but fascinating because it's not normal, it's not how most people operate. And we can't go around our business in our lives worried that random strangers are suddenly going to turn on us. But that is what makes it so frightening because we have seen cases where that exact thing happens.

[TJ Holmes]

You know, I'm going to wait here. I was going to mention. We will in just a moment here going to mention what the DA says he kind of made a, a statement about the death penalty in this case that. I'll hold that and we'll discuss that after we get through the break here. But we go back to 2017. Robes in November is when it started and it started randomly. And do I have right, all of the victims except his mom and his stepdad were pretty young folks, but these two young men, again no motive on this one.

[Amy Robach]

Was it two friends sitting in a car. They were parked at a cash checking or Yes, a check cashing. I said that wrong. A check cashing store. And they just found both men dead, shot in the head for whatever reason after that.

[TJ Holmes]

Saleem Richards, 31 years old, shot while walking to his girlfriend's apartment. Again, this was five days after the first killings. And again there no rhyme or reason to this one either.

[Amy Robach]

Not that I'm aware of. Just completely and totally random. It's so scary.

[TJ Holmes]

And then the next two after that were both at apartment complexes in the Glendale, Arizona area. 1 a 29 year old, 1 a 21 year old latori Beckford and Christopher Cameron again both just shot at apartment complexes. No rhyme or reason.

[Amy Robach]

No rhyme. And then this next one is really, really sad and scary. Maria Villanueva, she was 43 years old, but they actually have surveillance video of her. And he. He took her car. So he grabbed her as she was walking to her car, made her sit in the front passenger seat. So they can actually see that on surveillance video. And then her body was found the next day, half naked in Phoenix. She was sexually assaulted and his DNA was found on her body.

[TJ Holmes]

And again, folks, as we're going through this, at the time, right in Arizona, they weren't putting out pictures and saying we're looking for this suspect or saying they're going after. This was just a string in a three week period of people just getting brutally murdered.

[Amy Robach]

Yes, because the one we didn't mention that he was not charged with. But right in the middle of all of these killings, there was another met found dead in his apartment. Jesus.

[Commercial Announcer]

Real.

[Amy Robach]

He was found on his Chase Lounge shot in similar fashion to some of these other folks. But he actually did have a personal connection to Cleophas. He produced music with him. Because Cooksey was, I guess, I don't know how much of a musical artist he was, but that was what he did or what he tried to do, I guess. So interestingly, the one where they actually have a personal connection to the death in the middle of this killing spree, they never charged him with that crime, but that one. Maybe there was some personal beef. Interesting. They chose not to pursue that again.

[TJ Holmes]

They had eight others lined up already. But this is. You put yourself in that position of understanding just how terrorized this community was around that time and then the last killings. Renee Cooksey. Edward Nunn. Renee Cooksey, 56 years old. Edward Nunn, 54 years old. Renee Cooksey, his mother. His mother. And I saw and I heard the, the details and the circumstances around it that there was a shots fired call to his mom's house and police actually came and confronted him. He tried to play it cool and he ends up getting taken into custody. But rhyme or reason.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah.

[TJ Holmes]

Why'd he kill his mom and his stepdad?

[Amy Robach]

Yes. And if it hadn't been for neighbors calling. Police reporting. Hey, we hear gunshots. Police quickly getting to that apartment complex. They said that they found blood spatter on his doorstep. And he was saying, oh, no, I just cut myself on my hand. It's nothing at all. When they got and pushed in, they. They say that he actually, in that moment, threatened to slit the officer's throat. So they knew they had Their guy at that point, so.

[TJ Holmes]

And did you figure out why this took so long to get him to trial? Was this just a complicated case? But this was 2017, and this trial just happened eight years later.

[Amy Robach]

That is jaw dropping to me. And I can only imagine it was just putting and piecing it together. But that seems like that is not your right to a speedy trial. Eight years after you've committed the crime, you're waiting for your trial, and then that trial is months long. So his trial began in May of 2025. I was wondering why this didn't come on our radar. And I started remembering Diddy, and I thought, you know what? I think we were so focused on Sean Combs trial at that point, which.

[TJ Holmes]

Happened in May exactly at the same time.

[Amy Robach]

This is something that we would have absolutely. It would have piqued our interest, and we would have been following it. But I think because we were so focused on the Diddy trial, we didn't even hear about this trial. But, yes, this took. Can you imagine being a juror sitting through all that testimony all those months, for all these months, and just now, this week, he finally was sentenced, and now they're talking about potentially retrying him for the deaths of his mother and stepfather so they can get that death penalty verdict. But it's unclear why they would need to and why they would want to after spending so much time and money on this trial. It doesn't seem. It doesn't seem possible.

[TJ Holmes]

This is a tough one to. To understand out there in Arizona, but Arizona, as much as we've been talking about robes this year, how many executions on a pretty historic pace as a country. Arizona, however, is not a state that executes a lot of people, even though they got quite a few on death row. We'll explain when we come back. Also, we'll tell you what the district attorney is saying out there about the death penalty. Also, have we seen yet the last execution of 2025? Well, it's the last one scheduled. It's already happened. But one state has until Christmas Eve to kill a guy. We'll explain. Stay. All right, we continue here on Amy and TJ Robes. You're gonna have to help me out. I. I teased so many things. Make sure I get to them. To them all. Let's start, though, with what the DA out there in Arizona is saying about this Cooksey case. Look, there are people. You can debate the death penalty all day long. And then there are some cases where folks will look and go, okay, the death penalty is the right call. Here. And, and the DA is essentially saying.

[Amy Robach]

That, yes, the DA came out and said, death is the only just punishment in this case. When you look at the facts and you look at the details, he said, anyone who questions why we need the death penalty needs to look no further than this case. And look, I think if you look and see that he was already in prison for manslaughter and he was released and pretty much, yes, within months of his release, he goes out and kills nine people. So when you have certain violent criminals, and I don't know if there's a way you can predict whether or not somebody is going to go immediately back or eventually back to a life of violence and crime, but at this case, obviously in hindsight, you can say, yeah, he was that guy. This guy never needs to be released. And unfortunately, with overcrowding prisons and the way our system works, murderers get released. And so I guess his point is when you put someone on death row, you. You eliminate that fear for the most part.

[TJ Holmes]

I mean, this, but the way he spoke of it, and this is always an. You and I have talked about this plenty. He speaks of it as vengeance versus a deterrence. And I don't know what the argument is for. People still make the deterrence argument. But then you and I sit here and say, well, as much as you got a problem with DeSantos out there, folks, his argument is essentially the problem with the death penalty is that we don't follow through. We leave people on death row for 20, 30, 40 years. Why is that a deterrent to crime? If. Okay, yeah, if I get caught, I'll. I'll live out another 40 years and get a nice last meal before they try to kill me. I mean, what.

[Amy Robach]

No, yeah, it's not a deterrent. Yes, I think, yes, you're right. It was more vengeance.

[TJ Holmes]

The DA statement, when we talk about it as a. As vengeful instead of some kind of deterrence, she is essentially saying, he's a bad guy, he deserves to die. That's a tough argument for a government to make, at least when it sits with me.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah. Her exact words were, it takes a special kind of evil to prey upon the vulnerable and needlessly take the lives of eight innocent people. Death is the only just punishment, and we will do everything in our power to see it carried through.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah. And plenty of folks, plenty of religious folks will say, yeah, how can you make an argument that this guy deserves to be cared for for the next 40, 50 years of his life on the taxpayer dime?

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, I know. And. But but as we've seen with some of the death penalty cases, that's still what happens to people on death row happening right now. They get taken care of for 40 years and then get a really special last meal. I mean, that is true. But I thought it was interesting when we were talking about motive in this case, prosecutors never came up with one. But their big play to the jury and part of their reasoning behind the death penalty was that he targeted his victims when they were vulnerable. So I thought that was interesting that that mattered, that he chose the moments when they were in their apartment, when their guards were down, when they felt that they were safe and secure. And he took that away from these people and perhaps the community who was very fearful during this time.

[TJ Holmes]

We've heard there's plenty special circumstances. Yes. It's not just a murder, it's an especially heinous murder because of some details. Now, is he going to end up. When are they going to carry this? How are they going to carry this out, this death penalty? Don't know because you got 108, I think it is inmates sitting on death row in Arizona and they don't kill them a lot. No, they did two this year. The previous two years were.03 the year before that and then there was like an eight year stretch where there were zero death row inmates executed in Arizona. So again, there are questions about methods and they don't get the proper drugs and those things. But quite frankly, Arizona is not on a tear to get through death row.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah, they're not on a tear for death row. And we just talked about the eight year lag in the trial that this man. Let me just say this, this is so interesting. The year before, in 2016, this bus driver who killed and was. Was charged with killing nine people. So very similar in a period, in a period of a year. His trial date hasn't. His trial hasn't even happened yet. It is set for a year from now, December of 2026. That means it will be 10 years after he committed these or is accused of committing these murders that he will finally get his day in court. So Arizona doesn't have a great track record at getting significant murder cases, serial murder cases to trial, let alone to conviction and to a actual sentencing.

[TJ Holmes]

This is. Okay, this is. I just got a little pissed because when you say that we've talked so much about how long people end up on death row, are you really talking to me at the possibility that guy in particular, what year were his crimes?

[Amy Robach]

2016.

[TJ Holmes]

2016. So if it takes you 10 years to get to trial, and then you're possibly on death row for another 30 to 40. Are you really telling me you're going to make these families who lost a loved one in 2016 wait and wait for 50 years for justice to be served? We've got to fix that one.

[Amy Robach]

Yeah. How about just waiting 10 years to get your day in court?

[TJ Holmes]

We got to fix that one.

[Amy Robach]

That's not fair to the accused, and it's not fair to the victim's families.

[TJ Holmes]

You know, a lot of times the accused, well, they got another motion, another motion file another motion they're trying to delay. Like, might as well push this clock down the road because I know what.

[Amy Robach]

The end is probably going to be. So let's just go ahead and delay, delay, delay.

[TJ Holmes]

Well, and again, we've been talking here plenty if you've been following this podcast. Extraordinary year in executions. 40. Help me. 47. 47. That's the most in the country that we've seen since 2009. We think the number is going to stay at 47 for the year, even though, as we're recording, it's December 21st. But there's another death warrant right now. Robes that is active in the state of Georgia. We just don't know if they're going to see it through.

[Amy Robach]

It would have to happen. The execution would have to happen on Monday, on Tuesday, or on Wednesday. That would be Christmas Eve, for those who don't know, by noon. So that that's when his death warrant officially terminates. And they'll have to then reset an execution date. And there's all sorts of things that have to happen for that to occur. So it looks like he will be spared at least through 20, 25.

[TJ Holmes]

And this was Stacy Humphrey.

[Amy Robach]

Stacy Humphrey.

[TJ Holmes]

This was the one. This, the obese guy?

[Amy Robach]

Yes, he was the obese guy who had this extraordinary last meal.

[TJ Holmes]

Meat lovers pizza, double cheeseburger.

[Amy Robach]

That was two lemon lime sodas. There was barbecue in. There were ribs. It was. It was a platter for a party of 20.

[TJ Holmes]

Yeah. So, yeah, he ordered a last meal and then his execution got halted. We don't know if that will come back again. That one got halted because of some issues with some conflict of interest on the parole board. We won't get into all that. But it is active. They could set. They could kill that man anytime between now and Christmas Eve.

[Amy Robach]

We'll keep our eye on it.

[TJ Holmes]

What do you think?

[Amy Robach]

I think that that's a very tall order and seems unlikely, you know what? But you never know.

[TJ Holmes]

Not from a sentimental standpoint, but from everybody. Just they want to be home for the holidays. I don't want to mess around with this.

[Amy Robach]

I think that that has a huge role in everyone's motivation.

[TJ Holmes]

All right, well folks, we always appreciate you spending some time with us. It's been I can't believe how many death penalty and execution stories we've done this year, but it has been an extraordinary year for this country and it's wrapping up in an extraordinary way to the point that we're waiting to see what happens up to Christmas Eve on an execution. Now, folks, as always, we appreciate you spending some time with us. For my dear Amy Robach, I am TJ Holmes and we will talk to y' all soon.

[Commercial Announcer]

Weight loss doesn't have to be complicated. Gimme Dot Care gives you access to physician prescribed GLP1 treatments for just $130 per month, one flat price at all doses.

[TJ Holmes]

No insurance, no hidden fees, no in person visit. Message your physician anytime from your secure online portal and if eligible, your medication ships in discreet direct to door packaging.

[Commercial Announcer]

Start your journey at Gimme Care. That's G I M M E Care.

[TJ Holmes]

Eligibility required results vary.

[Sophie Cunningham]

This is Sophie Cunningham from Show Me Something. Do you know the symptoms of moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea, or osa, in adults with obesity? They may be happening to you without you knowing. If anyone has ever said you snored loudly, or if you spend your days fighting off excessive tiredness, irritability and concentration, it may be due to osa. OSA is a serious condition where your airway partially or completely collapses during sleep, which may cause breathing interruptions and oxygen deprivation. Learn more at don't sleep on osa.com. this information is provided by Lilly A Medicine Company.

[Commercial Announcer]

On December 19th, based on the bestselling novel the Housemaid, Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney star in a wildly entertaining thriller about a live in housemaid and and the wealthy Winchester family.

[TJ Holmes]

The Housemaid is a twisted world where perfection is an illusion and nothing is as it seems. The shocking twist will leave you guessing until the very end. Can you keep a secret?

[Commercial Announcer]

The Housemaid Rated R. Only in theaters December 19th. Get tickets now.

[Cal Penn]

Hey audiobook lovers, I'm Cal Penn.

[TJ Holmes]

I'm Ed Helms.

[Cal Penn]

Ed and I are inviting you to join the best sounding book club you've ever heard with our new podcast, The Audible and iHeart Audiobook Club.

[TJ Holmes]

Each week we sit down with your favorite iHeart podcast hosts and some very special guests to discuss the latest and.

[Cal Penn]

Greatest audiobooks from audible listen to Earsay on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Follow Earsay and start listening on the free iHeartradio app today.

[Amy Robach]

Okay, only 10 more presents to wrap.

[Pandora Jewelry Announcer]

You're almost at the finish line.

[Amy Robach]

But first.

[Pandora Jewelry Announcer]

There, the last one. Enjoy a Coca Cola for a pause that refreshes.

[Amy Robach]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.