Bio

George H. Whitaker III was born on November 21, 1970, in Harris County, Texas. He grew up in a challenging environment and was raised by strict parents. His father was known to be a strict disciplinarian. Whitaker's mother testified that he was never violent in her presence. However, she also mentioned that he faced a difficult childhood, which included two suicide attempts when he was 20 years old.

Whitaker had a relationship with Catina Carrier, who was an important figure in his early life. They began dating after they met in high school. Their relationship progressed, and they eventually moved in together and got engaged in December 1993. However, the relationship turned toxic, and Catina experienced physical and verbal abuse from Whitaker. Catina ultimately decided to end the relationship due to this abusive behavior.

After breaking off their engagement in April 1994, Catina made secret arrangements to leave their shared home. She moved out but left behind many of her belongings. Whitaker reportedly became despondent over the breakup and had been trying to locate her during this time. His behavior became increasingly concerning, and friends noted that he made threatening comments about wanting to kill someone shortly before the tragic events that followed.

Whitaker’s education ended at the 11th grade, and he eventually received his GED. He worked as a mechanic but did not have a stable career. He had no previous criminal record before the incidents that defined his later life.

As Whitaker dealt with issues in his relationships, he was unable to manage his emotions constructively. His life culminated in a tragic and violent incident on June 15, 1994, which resulted in severe consequences for him and others, leading to an eventual execution in 2008.

Murder Story

On June 15, 1994, George H. Whitaker III drove to the home of Mary Carrier in Crosby, Texas. He was angry because his former girlfriend, Catina Carrier, had ended their relationship. Under the pretext of returning some of Catina's belongings, he forced his way into the house armed with a .45 caliber handgun.

Inside the house, he shot Mary Carrier in the shoulder. Mary ordered her five-year-old daughter, Ashley, to run upstairs. Whitaker followed Ashley and hit her with the gun, knocking her unconscious. He then found Mary’s 16-year-old daughter, Shakeitha, known as Kiki, and shot her in the head.

After shooting Kiki, Whitaker went outside to reload his gun. He saw Mary fleeing and shot her again as she tried to escape. Kiki died from her injury, while Ashley survived but sustained permanent brain damage. Mary survived but suffered long-term damage, including the loss of use in her right hand.

Authorities later arrested Whitaker at an apartment where he had been trying to hide. He was shot in the hip during the arrest, as he was reaching for a weapon. He was charged with capital murder for the killing of Shakeitha Carrier.

Whitaker was convicted on March 28, 1996, and was sentenced to death. After exhausting all appeals, he was executed by lethal injection in Texas on November 12, 2008. His last words included an apology to the Carrier family and a request for forgiveness, as well as expressions of love for his family.