Terry Lee Hankins was born on October 10, 1974, in Tarrant County, Texas. His early life was marked by family challenges. When he was young, his parents divorced. After the divorce, he went to live with his father, Ernie Hankins. Over time, Terry had two stepmothers. He later claimed that both of them sexually abused him.

As he grew older, Terry experienced more changes in his life. At the age of 18, he got married to Tammy Bryce. When he married her, he moved into her home where she had three children from a previous relationship.

On October 1, 2000, Terry Lee Hankins killed his half-sister, Pearl Sevenstar. He struck her multiple times with a car jack and then wrapped her body in a plastic sheet. He hid her body in the front seat of a car at his father's automotive shop.

A week later, on October 8, 2000, Hankins had an argument with his father, Ernie. During the argument, Ernie pulled out a .45-caliber pistol. Hankins grabbed the gun and shot his father in the head, killing him. He then concealed his father's body in a mobile home in Arlington. Hankins took over his father's business and changed its name. He told people that his father was taking care of sick relatives to explain his absence.

In July 2001, Hankins was arrested for aggravated assault after he beat his roommate. He was released from jail the following month.

On August 26, 2001, Hankins entered his wife's trailer armed with a gun. He shot his sleeping wife, Tammy, in the head. The next day, he shot his stepchildren, Kevin, age 12, and Ashley, age 11, while they were also sleeping.

After these murders, Hankins became the prime suspect. A warrant was issued for his arrest. He fled to his girlfriend's apartment but was eventually found by the police. After a five-hour standoff, he surrendered without resistance. Following his arrest, Hankins confessed to the murders, including those of his father and stepsister. He provided information about where to find their bodies.

Hankins initially faced charges for the murders of his stepchildren but not for the other three. Despite his confession, he pleaded not guilty, arguing that the warrant for his arrest was obtained illegally. He claimed the evidence was largely based on speculation. Hankins was ultimately found guilty of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to death in May 2002.

In January 2009, as his execution date approached, his lawyers asked the Supreme Court to review his case, but their request was denied. He was executed by lethal injection on June 2, 2009. His last words expressed sorrow for his actions and the pain he caused. He was buried at Captain Joe Byrd Cemetery.