The death of Bobbie Jo Stinnett horrified America.
Aged just 23, Bobbie was eight months pregnant when she was strangled and then had her belly cut open and her baby ripped from inside her.
Her killer, Lisa Montgomery, became known as the ‘womb raider killer’ after not only killing Bobbie but then kidnapping her daughter, Victoria Jo, who miraculously survived.
Montgomery, who was executed on January 13, 2021 by lethal injection, had spent the hours before carrying out her horrifying plan researching caesareans and birthing kits online.
She then calmly drove the 170 miles between her home in Kansas to visit dog breeder Bobbie Jo, claiming she wanted to buy a puppy.
After carrying out her brutal plan, Montgomery was discovered the following day, holding Bobbie Jo’s baby close to her and watching the police appeal to find her on television.
Her execution had been delayed several times, for a final time just hours before she was put to death on the grounds of mental health.
Her lawyers had argued her mental ill health meant she was incapable of understanding she was to be executed.
They also claimed her childhood had been filled with abuse and forced prostitution.
But the appeals were unsuccessful and in the early hours of January 13, 2021, Montgomery as given the lethal injection at Terre haute prison, Indiana.,
Her execution was the first of a female prison in the US for 67 years.
In her final moments, Montgomery was asked if she had any last words, to which she replied ‘no’.
She died in silence, according to a legal writer, Michael Tarm, who was there at the execution.
He then went on to describe the chilling final moments of one of America’s most infamous killers.
Micheal said: “As the lethal injection began Montgomery kept licking her lips and gasped briefly as the pentobarbital entered her body through IVs on both arms.
“A few minutes later her midsection throbbed for a moment, but quickly stopped.”
Montgomery’s attorneys were appalled the execution had been allowed to go ahead.
Her lawyer, Kelley Henry, said: “The craven bloodlust of a failed administration was on full display.
“Everyone who participated in the execution of Lisa Montgomery should feel shame. The government has stopped at nothing in its zeal to killed this damaged and delusional woman.”
But for Bobbie Jo’s family, Montgomery’s death has provided some closure following the horrifying events that claimed the mother-to-be’s life.
Bobbie Jo’s bother-in-law, Ace Stinnett, said: “Bobbie Jo would be happy.”
Her daughter, Victoria Jo is now being raised by her father, Zeb.
Ace added: “I don’t speak to them about what happened but Victoria absolutely understands.
“She’s getting along good, happy and living a normal life. Zeb is bringing her up well.”
