What We Know
Christa Pike survived her execution. What we know now
Video · 4:26 · Watch on YouTube
Christa Pike: What We Know Now
On Oct. 7, 2026, a Davidson County, Tenn., chancellor ordered the State to preserve evidence from the Sept. 30 execution attempt of Christa Pike, who was convicted in 1996 of the first-degree murder of Colleen Slemmer. Pike's attorneys say she is conscious and speaking. The governor has ordered a third-party review. Everything below is as of Oct. 7, 2026, 3 p.m. Central.
What's confirmed
- Sept. 30Tennessee began Pike's execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville and did not complete it. AP; Nashville Banner
- Oct. 1Gov. Bill Lee ordered a third-party review and said the remaining scheduled execution will not be carried out this year. AP; ABC News; WVLT
- Oct. 3TDOC Commissioner Frank Strada announced his resignation; he said he continues to believe the department carried out its responsibilities in accordance with the established protocol. Nashville Banner; Action News 5
- Oct. 6Her attorneys said in a statement that she is "conscious, speaking, and continues to receive critical medical care," and that she faces a long recovery. AP via PBS NewsHour
- Oct. 7Chancellor I'Ashea Myles granted her attorneys' motion, calling the case "unique, to say the least." The order covers photographs, recordings, drugs, logs and communications from that night. ABC News; Reuters; WBIR
- Oct. 7The State's lawyer told the court TDOC had logged physical evidence from Sept. 30 into a preservation room. ABC News
- Colleen Slemmer was 19. She loved roller skating and volunteered with the Special Olympics. Her mother, May Martinez, told the AP: "I didn't get justice for my daughter." AP
What we don't know / what's disputed
- Her actual condition: only her attorneys have described it; her prognosis is unclear. As of Tuesday TDOC said only that she remained hospitalized.
- Why the execution was not completed. The State says it followed its protocol; her attorneys dispute that.
- What the review will find, and when.
- Whether Gov. Lee will act on her attorneys' request to commute her sentence to life without parole.
- Whether Tennessee will seek a new date. The State declined to say in court.
What happens next
No next step has been announced. We will update this as officials and the courts put more on the record.
Sources
- ABC News (Oct. 7)abcnews.com/US/hearing-set-motion-preserve-evidence-christa-pikes-botched/story?id=137048560
- Reuters via GV Wire (Oct. 7)gvwire.com/2026/10/07/judge-tells-tennessee-to-preserve-syringes-other-evidence-in-failed-christa-pike-execution/
- WSMV live updates (Oct. 7)wsmv.com/2026/10/07/christa-pike-live-updates-what-know-she-regains-consciousness-judge-orders-state-preserve-evidence-failed-execution/
- AP via PBS NewsHour (Oct. 6)pbs.org/newshour/nation/christa-pike-is-conscious-and-speaking-after-failed-execution-attempt-in-tennessee-her-attorneys-say
- Nashville Banner (Oct. 3)nashvillebanner.com/2026/10/03/tennessee-prison-chief-frank-strada-resigns/
- Action News 5 (Oct. 3)actionnews5.com/2026/10/03/tdoc-commissioner-offers-resignation-gov-lee-says/
- WVLT (Oct. 1)wvlt.tv/2026/10/01/tennessees-gov-lee-orders-comprehensive-review-christa-pikes-attempted-execution-calls-off-remaining-execution/
Photos: Tennessee Department of Correction; Slemmer family via AP / Knoxville News Sentinel (USA TODAY Network).
Pike was convicted by a jury in 1996. Nothing from inside the execution is shown or recreated.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988.
Newsletter: https://undercurrentdaily.substack.com
Spot an error? Email corrections@undercurrentdaily.com. See our corrections policy. Have information about this case? Contact the investigating agency first.
