Cincinnati killer Robert Van Hook to be executed

Robert Van Hook is scheduled to be executed at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 18. He was sentenced to death for fatally strangling and stabbing David Self after picking him up in a bar in Cincinnati in 1985.

3rd & 7 37yd

VAN HOOK: DRC officials say he spent most of the night laying on his bed singing and listening to music; refused breakfast offering but asked for the rest of his cheesecake this morning - execution set for 10 a.m. @wcpo

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 12:32:39 PM
VAN HOOK: He brutally killed David Self in Hyde Park in 1985 - prosecutors called it part of a pattern of luring and robbing gay men; Self’s family has said they do not want to talk after the execution today @wcpo

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 12:34:15 PM
VAN HOOK: Self was strangled unconscious in his apartment; Van Hook drove a paring knife into his brain & twisted; then stabbed him in the neck/tried to decapitate him; finally sliced his stomach open & left the knife, a bottle, and cigarette butts inside body @wcpo

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 12:35:57 PM
VAN HOOK: DRC officials say he visited with his attorneys from 338-446p yesterday, then visits from friends and family - all described as upbeat, some noted with laughter @wcpo

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 12:42:57 PM
VAN HOOK: He met with his two spiritual advisors last night at 710p, they had communion at 719p; they have met again this morning (around 630) @wcpo

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 12:44:05 PM
VAN HOOK: Need some context? Here’s the backstory on Van Hook and what he did to David Self in 1985 - plus @hamcopros ‘s thoughts 'wcpo.com/news/crime/ohi… via @wcpo

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 12:45:24 PM
VAN HOOK: DRC officials update us that there are about 20 protestors outside prison in Lucasville right now @wcpo

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 1:22:32 PM
VAN HOOK: Visits stopped around 830a; as of about 915a Van Hook was in cell meditating; he had given one of his attorneys his religious material an hour or so ago @wcpo

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 1:23:49 PM
VAN HOOK: Execution still set for 10 a.m., a Third vein assessment was done at 907a - veins are “accessible and palpable” per DRC @wcpo https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DiZA43aXcAAIVi7.jpg

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 1:25:23 PM
VAN HOOK: Time of death was 10:44 a.m.; he said in tears “I’m very sorry for taking your brother’s life. I’m no good. I hope that you now have some peace. I pray one day you will be reunited with him and your mother as well.” @wcpo https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DiZY0o5VQAICZis.jpg

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 3:10:45 PM
VAN HOOK: Time of death 10:44 a.m. @wcpo https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DiZYH7DXUAAFiXy.jpg

by Evan Millward via twitter 7/18/2018 3:13:16 PM