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.

Attorney General Liz Murrill confirmed Jessie Hoffman had been executed by the state. Louisiana death row inmate Jessie Hoffman was scheduled for execution Tuesday evening as legal challenges continued to unfold as his attorneys sought a last-minute stay from the U.