⚡ CHILLING END TO A 37-YEAR NIGHTMARE: Harold Wayne Nichols, the “Red-Headed Stranger,” has just been ex3cuted by lethal injection in Tennessee — closing the book on one of the state’s most notorious cold cases.

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After more than three decades on death row, 64-year-old Harold Wayne Nichols was executed by lethal injection Thursday at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, bringing a long and contentious chapter to a close in one of Chattanooga’s most brutal crimes. Nichols, once dubbed the “Red-Headed Stranger” for his distinctive appearance and string of attacks, was pronounced dead at 10:39 a.m. CST following the administration of a single-drug protocol using pentobarbital.

The execution stemmed from Nichols’ 1988 rape and murder of 20-year-old Karen Elise Pulley, a student at Chattanooga State Community College. On September 30, 1988, Nichols broke into Pulley’s apartment while she slept, struck her repeatedly with a piece of lumber, raped her, and left her bleeding and unconscious on her bedroom floor. A roommate discovered her the next morning; Pulley died from her injuries shortly after.

Nichols was arrested in January 1989 and confessed not only to Pulley’s killing but also to raping at least four other women in the Chattanooga area in the preceding months. Court records show he pleaded guilty to felony murder, aggravated rape, and burglary, receiving a death sentence in May 1990. During his trial and later statements, Nichols expressed remorse but admitted he likely would have continued his violent spree without intervention.

The case drew prolonged attention due to multiple appeals, challenges to Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol, and pandemic-related delays in executions. In recent years, Nichols sought clemency from Gov. Bill Lee, who declined to intervene. The Tennessee Supreme Court denied last-minute stays, including one hours before the procedure. Nichols became the third inmate executed in the state in 2025, following Oscar Smith in May and Byron Black in August — and the 10th since Tennessee resumed executions in 2018.

In the execution chamber, Nichols made a final statement expressing sorrow. “To the people I harmed, I’m sorry,” he said, according to witnesses and media reports from outlets like the Associated Press and Nashville Banner. He also conveyed love to his family before the drugs were administered.

Karen Pulley’s family, who attended the execution, described the long wait as “37 years of hell.” Her sister, Lisette Monroe, told the AP in a pre-execution interview that she hoped the procedure would allow her to focus on happy memories of Karen — a “gentle, sweet and innocent” young woman — rather than the violence that ended her life. Family members have long advocated for justice in the case, attending hearings and speaking publicly about the enduring pain.

Nichols’ criminal history began before Pulley’s murder. Authorities linked him to a series of sexual assaults in the Chattanooga region, where he targeted women in their homes. His confession after arrest helped resolve those cases, though Pulley’s death elevated the charges to capital murder.

The execution renewed debates over capital punishment in Tennessee and nationwide. Supporters pointed to the severity of the crimes and the closure it provided victims’ families. Opponents, including some legal advocates, highlighted concerns over the single-drug protocol’s potential for suffering and broader questions about redemption after decades in prison. Nichols had spent 35 years on death row, during which he reportedly showed signs of remorse and maintained family ties, including a wife and child.

Tennessee’s Department of Correction followed its approved lethal injection process, using a high dose of pentobarbital. A previous multi-drug protocol faced lawsuits in 2025 over claims of “torturous” risk, but the state shifted to the single sedative amid those challenges.

The crime shocked Chattanooga in 1988, a time when violent home invasions were less common in the area. Pulley, described by loved ones as kind and studious, had been asleep when attacked — a detail that amplified community outrage. Her death left lasting scars on her family and the local college scene.

As news of the execution spread, reactions varied. Some online commentators hailed it as long-overdue justice, while others questioned the morality and efficacy of the death penalty after such a lengthy appeals process. Pulley’s family expressed relief but also a sense of finality tinged with sorrow.

Nichols’ execution marks another milestone in Tennessee’s active use of capital punishment in recent years. State officials have emphasized adherence to legal protocols, while critics continue to push for reforms or abolition.

For the Pulley family, Thursday represented the end of a grueling wait. As Monroe noted, the focus can now shift toward remembering Karen’s life rather than her tragic end. In a case defined by brutality and prolonged legal battles, the state’s action provided closure — though the deeper questions about crime, punishment, and healing remain.