The state of Tennessee spent three decades preparing to carry out capital punishment against Christa Pike for the brutal homicide of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer. On September 30, 2026, prison officials administered two rounds of pentobarbital.
Christa remained alive.
The 50-year-old was rushed to a Nashville hospital with severe injuries to her arms. By October 6, she shocked the world by waking up and speaking. The historic development made her the first person to ever survive such a procedure after the intended lethal substance was administered.
