# Christa Pike's red hair linked to failed execution

> Redhead Christa Pike survived Tennessee execution due to MC1R gene mutation.
- Title: Christa Pike's red hair linked to failed execution · LADbible
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: christa pike, mc1r gene, pentobarbital, tennessee execution, red hair, lethal injection, anesthesiology, entertainment, culture, news, Christa, Pike's
- Source: LADbible — https://ladbible.com/news/science/christa-pike-failed-execution-pentobarbital-red-hair-mc1r-513729-20261009
- Published: 2026-10-09T13:44:54.528+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: christa pike, mc1r gene, pentobarbital, tennessee execution, red hair, lethal injection, anesthesiology, entertainment, culture, news
## 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
## Key takeaway

Christa Pike's red hair may have caused her to need more pentobarbital for sedation during a botched execution.