In a haunting culmination of a tragic story, Wendell Gryom was executed on March 20, 2025, after spending over 17 years on death row for the brutal murder of nursing student Amber Matthews. His last words were filled with remorse, but the echoes of his violent past lingered heavily in the air.
At the age of 56, Gryom faced lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, Oklahoma. His final meal consisted of a Canadian bacon supreme pizza, a pint of vanilla ice cream, and a Coca-Cola. In his emotional farewell, he expressed sorrow for the pain he had caused, stating, “I apologize to all of you that I’ve hurt.
To understand the gravity of Gryom’s actions, we must travel back to a fateful November afternoon in 2005. On that day, Drew Cop, a mother of two young daughters, was at home with her best friend Amber, who was visiting and helping care for the children. Little did they know, Gryom was on a path of destruction, fueled by drugs and alcohol, and looking for a home to rob.
Wendell Gryom’s troubled past began long before that day. Born in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, he suffered a traumatic birth that left him with brain damage, impacting his ability to make sound decisions. As he grew older, his life spiraled into crime, addiction, and violence. On November 3, 2005, he was out on parole, armed, and determined to commit a robbery that would turn deadly.
After picking up a hitchhiker named Jesse Floyd Johns, the two men drove to Blaine County, where they spotted Drew’s home. With no one else around, Gryom made a chilling decision. Instead of a simple burglary, he planned a horrific attack. He approached the back door, and when Amber answered, he opened fire, shattering the glass and unleashing chaos.
Drew, holding her infant daughter Gracie, was shot multiple times while desperately pleading for her life. In a moment of bravery, Amber shielded the children, only to be shot in cold blood by Gryom. Her sacrifice ensured that Riley and Gracie survived, but the trauma of that day left Drew with lasting physical and emotional scars.
Gryom and Johns fled the scene but were soon apprehended. While Johns entered a plea deal, Gryom’s trial revealed the brutality of his actions. Despite arguments from his defense about his mental state, the jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced him to death.
Over the years, Gryom attempted to appeal his conviction, citing brain damage as a mitigating factor. However, the courts consistently denied his requests, and his execution date was set. In the months leading up to his death, three jurors expressed regret over their decision, but it was too late for any change.
As the execution approached, Drew Cop bravely addressed the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, sharing her pain and the lasting impact of Gryom’s actions. She emphasized that while she had found a way to forgive him, he still needed to face the consequences of his choices.
On the day of his execution, family and friends of Amber Matthews gathered to witness the end of a long journey for justice. Outside, protesters held a vigil, reflecting the complex emotions surrounding capital punishment. Gryom’s final moments were marked by a prayer and a series of breaths before he was pronounced dead.
In the aftermath, Drew and her daughters expressed a sense of closure, but the scars of that day remain. As they move forward, they carry Amber’s memory with them, a reminder of the heroism displayed in the face of unimaginable danger.
As society grapples with the implications of this case, questions linger about justice, forgiveness, and the complexities of human behavior. What does it truly mean to seek justice in the face of such tragedy?
