# Pike walks and eats after failed execution

> Christa Pike has begun recovering physically a week after Tennessee's lethal injection attempt failed to kill her.
- Title: Pike walks and eats after failed execution · NPR | Shortify
- Summary: Christa Pike has begun recovering physically a week after Tennessee's lethal injection attempt failed to kill her. Christa Pike survived Tennessee's…
- Keywords: christa pike, tennessee, lethal injection, failed execution, death penalty, colleen slemmer, news, Pike, walks, eats, failed, execution
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/10/09/nx-s1-5996402/christa-pike-updates
- Published: 2026-10-09T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: christa pike, tennessee, lethal injection, failed execution, death penalty, colleen slemmer, news
## Pike survives lethal injection
Christa Pike, fifty, survived two doses of pentobarbital when Tennessee attempted to execute her eight days ago for the nineteen ninety-five beating and stabbing death of classmate Colleen Slemmer.
## Physical injuries from the attempt
The drug failed to kill Pike and her arms were left burned and blistered, according to her lawyers. She was unconscious and on a ventilator for the first few days of her hospitalization.
## Pike begins recovery
Pike regained consciousness Tuesday and was able to speak. On Wednesday she took limited first steps with assistance, and on Thursday she walked with some help and ate for the first time.
## Psychological and cognitive effects unclear
Pike's attorneys said she is dealing with profound psychological trauma from the failed execution. Doctors say it is too early to assess long-term impacts, though she continues to struggle with concentration and memory.

> Christa is dealing with the profound psychological trauma of having survived a failed execution, including the terror, pain and uncertainty of believing she was about to die.
## Execution cause remains unexplained
Medical experts have focused on whether a problem with the IV line caused the drug to pool in tissue instead of entering her bloodstream.

> apparently at no point did any member of the execution team realize that the IV lines were not correctly placed.
## Uncertain future for Pike
It remains unclear whether Tennessee will attempt to execute Pike again. Her attorneys have urged Republican Governor Bill Lee to commute her death sentence to life in prison without parole.

> She should never be subjected to another execution attempt.
## Key takeaway

Christa Pike survived Tennessee's execution attempt on September thirtieth and has begun walking and eating again, though her legal status and whether the state will attempt execution again remain unclear.