Why A Death Row Prisoner Requested Just One Olive As His Last Meal

For many years, death row inmates have made last meal requests, ranging from ordinary to bizarre. While some opt for elaborate feasts, others choose more unconventional items. Victor Harry Feguer, who was executed by hanging in 1968 at age 28, made an unusual request for his final meal: a single olive with its pit.

Henry Hargreaves, who photographed Feguer’s last meal, noted, “It’s just such a polarizing image. We think about the last meal and whether it’s something that’s going to be totally gluttonous, and then he just has a single olive. You know, it’s so simple, beautiful, and kind of final. It’s like a full stop at the end of his life,” as reported by the Daily Star.

Feguer’s request was more than a peculiar choice; he hoped that an olive tree would sprout from his remains, symbolizing a “tree of peace.” His final words were, “I sure hope I am the last one to go.”

The Case Behind the Request

Victor Harry Feguer’s crime involved the murder of Dr. Edward Bartels. Feguer, seeking drugs, contacted the doctor using a fake pretense. He lured Bartels to a different location where he kidnapped and ultimately killed him, allegedly after the doctor refused to provide drugs. Feguer was apprehended by the FBI, with evidence including the doctor’s car and murder weapon. Despite pleading not guilty and making several appeals, Feguer was convicted and sentenced to death.