The families have expressed mixed emotions following the state's first execution in 15 years and shared memories from the hours leading up to Hoffman's death.

Jessie Hoffman, Jr. was pronounced dead around 6:50 p.m. Tuesday at the State Penitentiary at Angola, officials announced in a briefing after the execution. He inhaled pure nitrogen gas through a mask strapped to his face for 19 minutes while pinned to a gurney, officials said, until oxygen deprivation caused him to die.

The U.S. Supreme Court has denied Jessie Hoffman’s appeal in a 5-4 decision, clearing the way for Louisiana’s first execution in 15 years. Warden Darrel Vannoy says Hoffman will be executed between 6 p.