Aaron Gunches
Aaron Brian Gunches was executed by lethal injection on March 19, 2025, at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Florence in Florence, Arizona, where the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry recorded the execution. He was 53, according to one report. His legal observer, Dale Baich, said that scientific studies show a high dose of pentobarbital causes excruciating pulmonary edema, and that the process was not peaceful even though it appeared so. Gunches had at one point asked the courts to schedule his execution sooner and later withdrew that request, and his former advisory counsel said she thought he was not right in the head. Witnesses, including members of the victim's family, attended, and one account questions whether the execution brought closure to the family.
Cause of death, as reported: Executed by the state. His legal observer, Dale Baich, said a high dose of pentobarbital causes excruciating pulmonary edema and that the execution was not peaceful despite appearing so.
Reported by: Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (the agency that held him); Arizona Mirror (reporters); Dale Baich (advocates); Vocal.media roundup of 2025 U.S. executions.