Bio

Perrie Dyon Simpson was born on October 30, 1962. He entered foster care just ten days after his birth because his mother had severely abused his older brother. His brother became blind, deaf, and brain-damaged, which led to significant changes in Perrie's early life. Neither of Perrie's parents showed any interest in him, but they refused to give up custody, so he remained in the foster care system.

Simpson's childhood was difficult, as he moved through various foster homes. By the time he was eighteen, he had lived in over eighteen different placements. This lack of stability affected his education and emotional development. Simpson faced challenges like severe learning disabilities and undiagnosed mental health issues. He struggled with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which made it hard for him to control his behavior and maintain personal relationships. A social worker named Joan Landreth worked with him for several years and testified about the difficulties he faced due to his chaotic environment.

In his late teenage years, Perrie became attached to his pregnant girlfriend, Stephanie Eury. They depended on each other for emotional support. At the time of the crime for which he was later convicted, Simpson was living a chaotic life, being homeless and unemployed. He often felt the need to find money to support himself and Eury.

Their relationship and circumstances paired with his troubled upbringing contributed to the events that would later unfold. Simpson's difficult childhood and life experiences in foster care set the stage for the struggles he would face as an adult.

Murder Story

Perrie Dyon Simpson was involved in the murder of Jean Darter on August 27, 1984. On that day, Simpson and his pregnant girlfriend, Stephanie Eury, returned to Darter's home after having been there the day before. The previous day, Darter, a 92-year-old retired Baptist preacher, had kindly invited them in, offered them food, and given them $4.

That night, Simpson and Eury approached Darter's house with the intention of robbing him. When Darter answered the door, they forced their way inside. Simpson instructed Eury to cut the telephone cords to prevent Darter from calling for help. He then demanded money from Darter. When Darter told him he had no money, Simpson became aggressive. He choked Darter and used a belt to strangle him, tying the other end to the bedpost.

As Darter expressed his belief in going to heaven if he was killed, Simpson became frustrated and escalated the violence. He retrieved a glass bottle from the kitchen and hit Darter multiple times. Simpson later used a razor blade to cut Darter's arms. During this time, Eury collected items from the house to steal, including food and a radio.

After committing the crime, Simpson and Eury left the scene. Police found Darter's body later that evening, tied to the bedpost and suffering from severe injuries. Simpson was arrested on September 21, 1984, after evidence, including fingerprints, linked him to the murder. He later confessed to the crime, detailing the events of that night.

Simpson was tried and sentenced to death in March 1985. His sentence was affirmed after multiple appeals, and he remained on death row for many years. Simpson was executed by lethal injection on January 20, 2006, nearly 22 years after the murder. His final meal consisted of a McRib sandwich, a double cheeseburger, macaroni and cheese, cheesecake, and a Pepsi. In his last words, he expressed remorse for his actions and apologized to the victim's family and his own.