What happened in failed execution of Christa Pike - and what next?
The convicted killer is in hospital in Tennessee after surviving two lethal injections, in a case that has raised many questions.
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Notable Quotes
"It's very possible that as a consequence of the delay of the beginning of resuscitation she will have a brain injury."
— Joel Zivot , Academic
"We cannot know exactly what went wrong, because so much happened behind a curtain – lethal injection relies on secrecy at every stage, to hide the violence of the state taking a human life."
— Maya Foa , Activist
Key People
Tennessee Governor who announced plans to rename Nashville airport after Dolly Parton.
Christa Pike is a woman on death row in Tennessee, convicted of murder in 1995.
Colleen Slemmer was a victim of a brutal murder in 1995.
Dr. Joel Zivot is a professor at Emory University School of Medicine who served as a medical expert for Pike's legal team.
Maya Foa is the chief executive of the international legal organization Reprieve.
Locations
All Coverage
The convicted killer is in hospital in Tennessee after surviving two lethal injections, in a case that has raised many questions.
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What we know about Christa Pike’s condition after failed execution
The BBC’s Ione Wells reports from outside the Tennessee hospital where Pike is said to have arrived Wednesday night after surviving two lethal injection attempts.
October 1, 2026 at 08:09 PMTennessee prison chief to resign after Christa Pike's failed execution
Pike's lawyers said the failure "goes far beyond any one person". Pike is in critical condition after surviving two lethal injections.
October 3, 2026 at 05:48 PMUS murderer Christa Pike unconscious and on ventilator after failed execution, lawyers say
As of Thursday night, Pike remained critically ill and is being treated at a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.
October 2, 2026 at 08:32 PMWatch: The many questions raised by the failed execution of Christa Pike
Her legal team filed an emergency motion to halt the convicted murderer's execution as it was happening.
October 1, 2026 at 06:14 AMChrista Pike's prognosis still unclear after failed execution, lawyer says
Pike's lawyer says doctors are still trying to clear two lethal doses of pentobarbital from her body.
October 4, 2026 at 04:24 PMChrista Pike gets "life-saving medical care" after surviving Tennessee execution - Reuters
Christa Pike gets "life-saving medical care" after surviving Tennessee execution Reuters
October 1, 2026 at 06:12 PM