Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Christa Pike Survives Tennessee Execution Attempt After Seven Injections
Christa Pike was supposed to be executed in Tennessee.
The execution used a drug called pentobarbital.
Workers tried to place the needle seven times to find a vein.
They gave her two doses, but she was still alive.
Pike even helped tell them where they might find a vein near her shoulder.
She said her arm hurt and felt like it might burst.
Her lawyers said she had blisters and was in critical condition.
She was taken to a hospital for lifesaving treatment.
Her lawyers are asking Tennessee’s governor to change her sentence, but they said they did not yet know her prognosis.
Christa Pike, a 50-year-old Tennessee death-row inmate, survived an attempted lethal-injection execution.
Her lawyers said medical staff inserted a needle seven times while trying to find a vein, including near her shoulder.
Prison officials administered two doses of pentobarbital, but Pike remained alive after both doses.
Pike reported burning, pain and throbbing in her arm; her lawyers said she had blisters and was in critical condition.
Witnesses were dismissed and Pike was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where she received lifesaving care; her prognosis was unknown.
- Who
- Christa Pike, a 50-year-old Tennessee death-row inmate; prison officials and the medical team conducting the execution attempt.
- What
- Pike survived a failed lethal-injection execution after two pentobarbital doses and as many as seven needle insertions to locate a vein.
- When
- Thursday; the execution was scheduled for 5:30 p.m. PT, according to the article, but no exact date is provided.
- Where
- The attempt took place at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee; Pike was later taken to a hospital.
- Why
- Pike had been scheduled for execution. Her lawyers are seeking commutation of her sentence after the failed attempt; the articles do not explain the underlying case.
- Inmate
- Christa Pike
- Age
- 50
- Execution method
- Lethal injection
- Drug administered
- Pentobarbital
- Injection attempts
- As many as seven needle insertions; two pentobarbital doses
- Medical status
- Reportedly critical and receiving lifesaving hospital care
- Lawyers’ request
- Tennessee’s governor should commute Pike’s sentence
- Prognosis
- Unknown to Pike’s legal team
