If you’ve spent any time watching the Starz series BMF or following the legacy of the Black Mafia Family, you’ve probably wondered about the real-life fate of the man behind the "Southwest T" moniker. There’s a lot of noise online. Some people think he’s still locked away, others heard rumors about his health, and a few even whispered that he had passed away.
Let's clear the air right now. Terry "Southwest T" Flenory is very much alive. In fact, he’s more than just alive—he’s technically a free man. While the world was focused on the cinematic drama of his life, the real Terry Flenory was navigating a complex legal system that eventually saw him walk out of prison years before his brother, Demetrius "Big Meech" Flenory. It’s a wild story that involves a pandemic, a presidential signature, and a pair of bolt cutters.
Why the question "Is Terry Flenory still alive" keeps popping up
People often confuse the two brothers. Because Big Meech remained in federal custody for so long, and because the TV show is so gritty, there’s this assumption that both brothers met a tragic end or are still behind bars.
Terry’s path diverged from his brother’s significantly. He was granted a compassionate release back in May 2020. At the time, the world was gripped by COVID-19. Because of his underlying health issues—including vision problems and other ailments—a judge decided he was at high risk. He was sent to finish his sentence under home confinement in Detroit.
For a few years, he was basically a ghost. You didn’t see him much because he was tethered to an ankle monitor and limited by the strict rules of house arrest. That’s usually where the rumors of his death come from; when a public figure goes quiet, the internet fills in the blanks with the worst-case scenario.
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The Biden Pardon that changed everything
Everything shifted in December 2024. Just before the end of the year, President Joe Biden granted Terry Flenory a full presidential pardon. Honestly, it was a move that caught a lot of people off guard.
Terry didn’t just quietly accept the news. He went to Instagram and posted a video that went viral across the culture. In the clip, he’s literally cutting off his ankle monitor. He looked healthy, he looked relieved, and he made it very clear that his "gag order" was over. He’s been moving around more freely ever since, and as of early 2026, he remains a free citizen.
The health issues people were worried about
It’s true that Terry’s health hasn't always been great. During his sentencing and subsequent years in prison, his legal team often cited his deteriorating eyesight. There were reports that he was nearly blind in one eye. This was a major factor in why he was eligible for that 2020 release.
However, since being home, he seems to have stabilized. He’s often seen in photos wearing glasses, but he appears mobile and active. He isn't the frail man some expected to see. He’s been spotted at events and has been active on social media, showing that while his health might have been the key to his early exit from prison, it isn't currently stopping him from living his life.
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Where is Southwest T today?
Most people want to know what a former kingpin does once the "gloves are off," as he put it. Terry has been focusing on family and, interestingly enough, his own narrative.
He has a massive interest in how the BMF story is told. He has been involved with the BMF Documentary: Blowing Money Fast on Starz, providing first-hand accounts of the rise and fall of their empire. It’s kinda surreal to see him on screen talking about the events that sent him away for decades.
- Residence: He mostly stays in the Detroit area, staying close to his roots.
- Business: While he can’t go back to his old ways, he’s heavily involved in the entertainment and branding side of the BMF legacy.
- Family: He’s been very public about reconnecting with his son and the rest of the Flenory clan.
His brother, Big Meech, was also recently moved to a halfway house in Miami and is expected to be fully released soon in 2026. The Flenory brothers are finally on the verge of being in the same space as free men for the first time in over twenty years.
The split and the legacy
One reason Terry is alive and free today while so many others from that era aren't is because of the "split." Back in the early 2000s, Terry moved to Los Angeles while Meech stayed in Atlanta. Terry was always seen as the more business-minded, low-key brother. He wanted to distance himself from the flashy, high-profile "Blowing Money Fast" lifestyle that Meech embraced.
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That caution probably saved his life and certainly helped his legal case. He didn't have the same disciplinary record in prison that his brother did, which made his compassionate release and eventual pardon much easier for the courts and the White House to stomach.
Moving forward in 2026
If you’re looking for Terry Flenory today, you won’t find him in the shadows. He’s active on Instagram under the handle @southwest263. He uses that platform to share his faith, his fashion, and his perspective on the past.
There’s a lesson in his survival. Whether you agree with his past or not, the fact that he survived a 30-year sentence and a global pandemic to walk free via a presidential pardon is objectively a remarkable turn of events. He’s transitioned from a street legend to a media personality and a symbol of criminal justice reform.
To stay updated on his current ventures, the best move is to follow his verified social media accounts or watch the latest season of the BMF documentary series. He’s finally telling his side of the story without a lawyer or a warden looking over his shoulder.
Next Steps for Readers
- Verify Social Media: Follow @southwest263 on Instagram to see his most recent posts and public appearances.
- Watch the Documentary: Check out The BMF Documentary: Blowing Money Fast on Starz for Terry’s direct interviews regarding his life and release.
- Monitor Legal News: Keep an eye on the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website if you want to track the official status of his brother, Demetrius Flenory, who is slated for final release in late January 2026.