Newberry SC, October 11, 2025
News Summary
Fred Singleton, who spent 42 years on death row in South Carolina, died of natural causes at the age of 81. His case highlighted significant issues surrounding the treatment of death row inmates and mental competency in the criminal justice system. Singleton was convicted of the 1982 rape and murder of Elizabeth Lominick and was recognized for his mental incompetence regarding execution. His passing raises critical questions about the death penalty’s application and the treatment of mentally ill inmates.
Columbia, SC – Fred Singleton, South Carolina’s longest-serving death row inmate, died of natural causes at the age of 81 on Monday. Singleton had spent 42 years on death row, beginning in September 1983, following his conviction for the 1982 rape and murder of 73-year-old Elizabeth Lominick in Newberry County.
After the crime, Singleton was found in possession of Lominick’s car, jewelry, and money. At the time of his arrest, he had Lominick’s diamond and gold rings in his pockets. Singleton was housed at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia and was transferred to a secure facility there in 2021 due to his mental competency status.
Singleton’s case has highlighted pressing issues regarding the treatment of death row inmates in South Carolina. In 1993, he was deemed mentally incompetent for execution by the South Carolina Supreme Court, which found that he lacked an understanding of the death penalty. While he was spared from execution due to this ruling, his death sentence was upheld on the grounds that he might eventually regain competency. The court also ruled that he could not be forced to take medication solely for the purpose of making him competent for execution.
Having spent the last three decades of his life in legal limbo, Singleton passed away at the Kirkland Correctional Institution’s infirmary. His death leaves 24 men remaining on death row in South Carolina, with Jamie Wilson, the second longest-serving inmate, currently under scrutiny regarding his mental competence as well. Wilson has served 34 years on death row.
Singleton’s lengthy incarceration and the circumstances surrounding his mental competency have sparked ongoing debates about the conditions and treatment of death row inmates in the state. Since the resumption of executions in South Carolina in 2024, six inmates have been executed, all within 2024 or 2025.
The implications of Singleton’s case extend beyond his personal story, raising critical questions about the death penalty’s application and the treatment of those who are mentally ill in the criminal justice system. His passing marks a significant moment in South Carolina’s legal history and brings renewed attention to the current state of death row inmates and the processes surrounding their sentences.
FAQ
- What was the reason for Fred Singleton’s death?
- Fred Singleton died of natural causes at the age of 81.
- How long did Fred Singleton spend on death row?
- Fred Singleton spent a total of 42 years on death row.
- What crime was Fred Singleton convicted of?
- Singleton was convicted in 1983 for the 1982 rape and murder of 73-year-old Elizabeth Lominick in Newberry County.
- What did police find at the time of Singleton’s arrest?
- At the time of his arrest, police found Lominick’s car, jewelry, and money, including her diamond and gold rings in Singleton’s pockets.
- Where was Singleton incarcerated?
- Singleton was incarcerated at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia and was transferred to a secure facility there in 2021.
- What was the status of Singleton’s mental competence for execution?
- Singleton was deemed mentally incompetent for execution in 1993, and the court ruled he could not be forced to take medication to make him competent for execution.
- How many men remain on death row in South Carolina after Singleton’s death?
- After Singleton’s death, there are 24 men remaining on death row in South Carolina.
- How many inmates have been executed in South Carolina since the resumption of executions?
- South Carolina has executed six inmates since the resumption of executions in 2024.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Fred Singleton, Longest-Serving Death Row Inmate in SC, Dies
Fred Singleton, South Carolina’s Longest-Serving Death Row Inmate, Dies
Death of South Carolina’s Longest-Serving Death Row Inmate
Additional Resources
- South Carolina Daily Gazette
- ABC News
- WIS TV
- Fox Carolina
- Wikipedia: Death Penalty in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE NEWBERRY
The NEWBERRY STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewberry.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Newberry, Newberry County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Newberry Opera House performances, Newberry Arts Fest, and the Newberry County Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce and the Newberry Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and agriculture that power the local economy such as Amick Farms and Newberry Mills. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
