From LADbible · · 50s
Christa Pike's red hair linked to failed execution
Redhead Christa Pike survived Tennessee execution due to MC1R gene mutation.
In brief
Redhead Christa Pike survived Tennessee execution due to MC1R gene mutation. Christa Pike's red hair may have caused her to need more pentobarbital for sedation during a botched execution. Originally reported by LADbible.
Redhead's execution failure
Christa Pike survived Tennessee's lethal injection after two doses of pentobarbital.
Red hair and MC1R gene
Redheads have a mutated MC1R gene that increases tolerance to anaesthesia.
Pentobarbital reaction
Redheads require more medication to fall asleep and stay asleep during sedation.
“Redhead patients require more medication to fall asleep and stay asleep”
Execution protocol issue
Tennessee's execution protocol doesn't account for redheads' physiological differences.
“The problem with the protocol... Is that it does not allow for any variability in the dosing given her physiology”
Pike's survival details
Pike remained conscious for over an hour after two doses of pentobarbital.
Health complications
Pike has no significant neurocognitive effects from the failed execution attempt.
“She does not appear to have any significant neurocognitive effects from the lethal injection attempt”
The headline
Christa Pike's red hair may have caused her to need more pentobarbital for sedation during a botched execution.
