Oregon Public Broadcasting

Cal Coburn Brown was executed early Friday morning in Walla Walla. It was Washington state's first execution since 2001.

Anna King / Northwest News Network

Holly Washa's loved ones spoke to the press following the execution of Washa's killer Cal Coburn Brown on Friday morning in Walla Walla, Washington.

The family of Brown's victim was visibly relieved after witnessing the execution at 12:56 a.m.

Cal Coburn Brown didn't directly apologize to his victim's family before his execution. But Holly Washa's loved ones said in a press conference afterward it's enough that Brown is gone.

The victim's father John Washa said he misses his daughter's freckles and her blue eyes. Washa said he doesn't hate Brown, the father said that he's done with him after nearly two decades of litigation and sorrow.

John Washa: "He's a very bad person, he did a bad thing to her which he didn't need to do. And with this tonight it brought more closure instead of more hatred. I just feel better now, I'm just more at peace."

Brown was convicted of raping, torturing and killing 21-year-old Holly Washa in 1991.

Brown gave about a two minute statement before he was executed, saying the justice system had treated him unfairly.