Death Row Inmate Survives Two Lethal Injections

A 50-year-old death row inmate in Tennessee, United States, survived an attempted execution after receiving two doses of lethal injection, prompting an investigation into what went wrong.

Christa Pike was taken to a hospital after the September 30 execution attempt at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee.

Her lawyers said she remained in critical condition and was receiving medical care, according to CNN.

Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer, a student at a vocational training programme in Knoxville, Tennessee. Pike was 18 at the time of the murder.

According to CNN, witnesses reported that Pike was still breathing and snoring after both doses of the injection had been administered.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee suspended the state’s remaining executions for 2026 while an independent review examines the failed procedure. The Tennessee Department of Correction said officials followed the state’s established execution protocol.

CNN also reported that the protocol provides for a backup dose if the first dose does not result in death but does not specify what officials should do if the second dose also fails.

Pike’s lawyers have asked the governor to change her death sentence to life imprisonment.