Stephen Stanko
Updated: 12/11/2025, 3:22:29 PM Wikipedia source
Stephen Christopher Stanko (January 13, 1968 – June 13, 2025) was an American prisoner who was convicted of the 2005 murders of two people in South Carolina, as well as the kidnapping and rape of the teenage daughter of one of his murder victims. He was executed for his crimes on June 13, 2025.
Infobox
Born
(1968-01-13)January 13, 1968Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Died
June 13, 2025(2025-06-13) (aged 57)Broad River Correctional Institution, South Carolina, U.S.
Cause of death
Execution by lethal injection
Criminal status
Executed by lethal injection
Convictions
Murder (2 counts)Kidnapping (3 counts)First degree criminal sexual conductAssault and battery with intent to killAssaultArmed robbery (3 counts)
Criminal penalty
Death (murder) 110 years (criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping and armed robbery in assaulting Ling's daughter during the murder of Ling)
Victims
2
Date
April 8, 2005
State
South Carolina
Imprisoned at
Broad River Correctional Institution
Locations
Murrell's Inlet and Conway
Tables
· External links
Preceded byMikal MahdiApril 11, 2025
Preceded byMikal MahdiApril 11, 2025
Executions carried out in South Carolina
Preceded byMikal MahdiApril 11, 2025
Executions carried out in South Carolina
Stephen Stanko June 13, 2025
Executions carried out in South Carolina
Succeeded byStephen Corey BryantNovember 14, 2025
Executions carried out in the United States
Executions carried out in the United States
Executions carried out in South Carolina
Executions carried out in the United States
Preceded byJohn Hanson – OklahomaJune 12, 2025
Preceded byJohn Hanson – OklahomaJune 12, 2025
Executions carried out in South Carolina
Preceded byJohn Hanson – OklahomaJune 12, 2025
Executions carried out in South Carolina
Stephen Stanko – South Carolina June 13, 2025
Executions carried out in South Carolina
Succeeded byThomas Gudinas – FloridaJune 24, 2025
| Executions carried out in South Carolina | ||
| Preceded byMikal MahdiApril 11, 2025 | Stephen Stanko June 13, 2025 | Succeeded byStephen Corey BryantNovember 14, 2025 |
| Executions carried out in the United States | ||
| Preceded byJohn Hanson – OklahomaJune 12, 2025 | Stephen Stanko – South Carolina June 13, 2025 | Succeeded byThomas Gudinas – FloridaJune 24, 2025 |
References
- Fox Newshttps://web.archive.org/web/20060527013205/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,153236,00.html
- doc.sc.govhttps://web.archive.org/web/20161221210508/http://www.doc.sc.gov/news/deathrowlist_0209.pdf
- Watch Mommy Diehttps://books.google.com/books?id=OKoPKJoAbAIC
- The Augusta Chroniclehttps://web.archive.org/web/20130725174336/http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2005/04/18/met_450649.shtml
- Fox Newshttps://www.foxnews.com/story/stanko-a-smart-polished-ex-con
- Cbsnews.comhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/murder-on-his-mind-11-01-2007/
- Cnn.comhttp://www.cnn.com/2005/US/04/12/sc.manhunt/index.html
- "America's Most Wanted - Watch on FOX"https://web.archive.org/web/20070623212113/http://www.amw.com/captures/brief.cfm?id=31269
- "America's Most Wanted - Watch on FOX"https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102204/http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=31269
- NBC Newshttps://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna7464698
- The Augusta Chroniclehttps://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/2006/08/19/met-93115-shtml/14755122007/
- GoUpstatehttps://www.goupstate.com/story/news/crime/2009/11/18/sc-jury-to-consider-sentence-for-death-row-inmate/29803645007/
- "Georgetown Times"https://archive.today/20080414070615/http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18848694&BRD=2081&PAG=461&dept_id=385210&rfi=6
- Justia Lawhttps://law.justia.com/cases/south-carolina/supreme-court/2013/27224.html
- Myhorrynews.comhttps://www.myhorrynews.com/news/crime/convicted-killer-stanko-to-remain-on-death-row/article_2f54ef9e-21e4-11e6-9e66-0b71bef32bee.html
- United States Supreme Courthttps://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/24-6420.html
- The (Charleston, SC) Post and Courierhttps://www.postandcourier.com/myrtle-beach/news/stanko-execution-appeal-denied-supreme-court-death-row-sc/article_c2ff3546-cdbe-4400-a6d0-b6920120664a.html
- South Carolina Daily Gazettehttps://scdailygazette.com/2025/05/05/another-inmate-is-eligible-for-execution-in-sc-on-the-2nd-of-his-2-death-sentences/
- Wpde.comhttps://wpde.com/news/local/sc-supreme-court-sets-execution-date-set-for-horry-co-death-row-inmate-henry-turner-conway-found-guilty-killing-girlfriend-murrells-inlet-murder-conviction-execution-notice-laura-ling
- My Horry Newshttps://www.myhorrynews.com/news/an-eye-for-an-eye-son-of-victim-killed-by-stephen-stanko-counts-down-days/article_afae5ebc-96c0-47c5-ba7a-d51ad3dafc4a.html
- Post and Courierhttps://www.postandcourier.com/politics/sc-botched-execution-stephen-stanko-secret-details-firing-squad/article_f807cd14-c86f-4542-a0ee-aedeca3dc77e.html
- Wmbfnews.comhttps://www.wmbfnews.com/2025/05/29/horry-georgetown-co-death-row-inmates-request-more-firing-squad-details-rejected/
- Wach.comhttps://wach.com/news/local/south-carolina-supreme-court-rejects-inmates-request-for-more-firing-squad-details?photo=1
- MyHorryNewshttps://www.myhorrynews.com/news/stephen-stanko-picks-his-execution-method/article_9d2a264c-ef36-4ed8-ad58-71d2be041369.html
- CNNhttps://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/09/us/executions-death-penalty-four
- CFJC Todayhttps://cfjctoday.com/2025/06/13/south-carolina-executes-a-man-serving-death-sentences-in-2-separate-murders/
- USA TODAYhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/13/stephen-stanko-execution-henry-turner-south-carolian/84193804007/