Damien Wayne Echols was born Michael Wayne Hutchison on December 11, 1974, in Marion, Arkansas. He lived with his mother and father until they divorced when he was eight years old. After the divorce, his family moved often, and he attended eight different schools before he turned ten.

At the age of 13, Damien took a new name, adopting the last name of his stepfather, Jack Echols. The family eventually settled in West Memphis, Arkansas. While living there, Echols continued his education. By the time he was 17, he was still in the ninth grade.

Damien was different from many of his peers. He often dressed in a long black trench coat, no matter the season. He showed a strong interest in witchcraft and wrote dark, expressive poems. Because of his unique style and interests, he was viewed as a misfit in his community.

In 1993, Damien Echols, along with Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, was arrested for the murder of three eight-year-old boys: Steve Branch, Michael Moore, and Christopher Byers. The case took place in West Memphis, Arkansas. In 1994, all three were convicted despite the absence of physical evidence linking them to the crime.

Damien Echols was sentenced to death by lethal injection on March 19, 1994. Over the years, he and his co-defendants sought to appeal their convictions. They encountered multiple legal challenges. In December 1996, the Arkansas Supreme Court denied their appeals. In 1999, a hearing found that Echols' defense attorney had been incompetent, but the judge ruled against him.

In 2007, new DNA testing revealed that hair found at the crime scene did not match any of the three men. This new evidence raised questions about their involvement, leading them to request a new trial. In September 2008, their request for retrials was denied by the same judge. Echols spent many years on death row, where he engaged in self-study of Buddhism and later ceremonial magic.

In 2010, the Arkansas Supreme Court ordered new evidentiary hearings due to the DNA evidence. By 2011, a legal agreement known as an Alford plea was reached, allowing Echols and his co-defendants to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution had enough evidence to convict them. They were immediately released after serving 18 years and 75 days.

After his release, Damien Echols moved to several locations, including New York City and Salem, Massachusetts. He published books detailing his experiences, including "Life After Death" and "Yours for Eternity," which he co-wrote with his wife, Lorri Davis. He also participated in art exhibitions featuring his work created during his time in prison.