Tennessee executed Christa Pike by the book. She survived

Published October 2, 2026 10:00am ET



Tennessee attempted to carry out the death sentence imposed on Christa Pike on Wednesday. The state administered its prescribed lethal-injection procedure. Pike survived. Instead of leaving the execution chamber deceased, she was transported to a medical facility.

The Tennessee Department of Correction subsequently maintained that every step of its authorized protocol had been followed and that no additional procedures were permitted.

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