Tennessee execution attempt leaves woman critical on ventilator
Christa Pike, 50, is unconscious on a ventilator after Tennessee's lethal injection execution failed on Wednesday. She has serious arm injuries.
Christa Pike is in critical condition on life support. Tennessee tried to execute her by lethal injection on Wednesday night but the drugs did not work.
The state gave her two doses of pentobarbital. Pike's lawyers say the IV lines were put in the wrong place and her veins had collapsed.
This meant the drug may not have entered her body correctly. Hospital workers are trying to remove the drug from her system.
Pike is 50 years old. She was convicted of killing her 19-year-old classmate Colleen Slemmer in 1995 when Pike was 18.
This was Tennessee's second failed execution this year. Governor Bill Lee stopped all executions for the rest of 2026 and ordered an investigation.
- 50 years old
- Pike's age
- 19 years old
- Victim's age at death
- 1995
- Year of conviction
- Second
- Executions failed in 2026
Why it mattersThe failed execution exposes serious flaws in how states conduct lethal injections and raises questions about whether the procedure can ever be carried out safely.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but demonstrates risks in US execution procedures that affect how international observers view capital punishment.
Corroborated bysmh.com.au·theguardian.com
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
Open this story in InSnip →
