MONTGOMERY – A man who allegedly shared fantasies of kidnapping and torturing someone with his girlfriend was executed for the 2010 death and rape of a woman.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced on 24 April 2025 that James Osgood was executed by lethal injection after a jury previously found him guilty of two counts of capital murder, specifically, murder committed during the course of rape and murder committed during the course of sodomy in connection with the death of Tracy Brown.
The jury recommended the death sentence, but it was thrown out by an appeals court in 2014. However, according to The Associated Press, at resentencing several years later, Osgood requested a death sentence because he didn’t want the families to go through another hearing.
On 18 October 2010, Brown’s body was reportedly found at her home in Chilton County, Alabama, after she failed to show up to work, prompting concern from her employer. She was last seen alive on 17 October 2010 with Osgood and his girlfriend, Tonya Vandyke.
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Investigators reportedly searched Osgood’s home and car. According to the attorney general’s office, authorities also interviewed someone who had been incarcerated with Vandyke, who said that Vandyke confessed to being involved in Brown’s death. Osgood learned about Vandyke’s admission and then also confessed to planning and committing the crime.
Osgood allegedly said that he and his girlfriend sexually assaulted Brown after they had shared with each other how they fantasised about kidnapping and torturing someone. The Associated Press reports that Osgood and Vandyke forced Brown to perform sex acts at gunpoint before Osgood fatally slit the victim’s throat.
Vandyke was reportedly Brown’s cousin. She received a life sentence.
According to The Associated Press, Osgood apologised in his final moments, stating, “I haven’t said her name since that day. Tracy, I apologise.”
Marshall added, “Nearly 15 years ago, James Osgood committed an unspeakable act of violence brutally raping and murdering Tracy Brown. A jury of his peers found him guilty and unanimously recommended the ultimate punishment: death.”
The attorney general continued, “Tonight, my heart and prayers are with Tracy’s family. No one should have to endure the pain they’ve carried or relive the horror of her tragic and senseless death. I want them to know that the state of Alabama stands with them. We are unwavering in our commitment to seek justice, not only to hold the guilty accountable, but to honour the dignity of every victim and restore peace to the communities they leave behind.”
