What was supposed to bring an end to one of Tennessee’s most notorious murder cases instead descended into chaos Wednesday night when the state attempted to execute Christa Pike, and she survived.
Pike, 50, remained alive after receiving two doses of pentobarbital, according to court filings from her attorneys. She was eventually transported by ambulance from Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville to a hospital.
And journalists who witnessed the attempted execution described an extraordinary scene.
Media witnesses reported hearing Pike snoring and complaining during the procedure, according to NBC News. Soon, the curtain was closed and media was ushered away.
The bizarre turn came after an already tumultuous day.
As Charisma reported Wednesday, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals halted Pike’s scheduled execution approximately one hour before it was set to begin. The U.S. Supreme Court later overturned the stay, clearing the way for Tennessee to proceed.
But Pike did not die.
And for Colleen Slemmer’s mother, May Martinez, what unfolded was another devastating turn in a case she has lived with for more than 30 years.
NBC News reported that Martinez was furious following the failed execution, calling what happened “a mess.” Martinez had traveled to Tennessee hoping to witness the death sentence finally carried out.
Her frustration brings the story back to the person at the center of this decades-long case: her daughter.
To order Don Dickerman’s book, Death Row Redemption, visit Amazon.com.
“Every time I think about it, I think about Colleen feeling that pain and trying to get up and run,” Martinez said to the Associated Press.
As Charisma previously reported, Pike was 18 when she participated in Slemmer’s horrific 1995 murder.
The case became notorious for its disturbing occult elements. A pentagram was carved into Slemmer’s body, and Pike took a piece of her skull as a trophy.
Now, Tennessee’s execution process itself is under scrutiny.
Gov. Bill Lee ordered a “comprehensive, third-party review” into what happened and halted the state’s remaining scheduled execution for 2026. The Tennessee Department of Correction maintains that officials followed every step of the state’s established execution protocol.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
