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Tennessee Execution Shocker: Christa Pike's Chilling First Words Revealed

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NASHVILLE — Christa Pike suffered a blood clot in her arm, has pneumonia and can’t eat following her botched execution, her lawyer said.

Pike, 50, was set to become the first woman to be executed in Tennessee in over 200 years on September 30 but instead became the first prisoner ever to survive a lethal injection.

Christa Gail Pike listening in a courtroom.

Christa Pike suffered a blood clot in her arm, has pneumonia and can’t eat following her botched execution, her lawyer said. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

An injection gurney and electric chair in the death chamber at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution.

Pike, 50, was due to become the first woman to be executed in Tennessee in over 200 years on September 30 but survived two botched attempts to put her death. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

May Martinez walks out of Riverbend Maximum Security Institution.

May Martinez, left, mother of murder victim Colleen Slemmer, walks out of Riverbend Maximum Security Institution during a stay of the planned execution of Christa Pike, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. AP Photo/George Walker IV

Her first words when she woke up on Tuesday were “Where am I and who are you?” her attorney, Randy Spivey, told a press conference.


Here’s the latest on the botched execution of Tennessee murderer Christa Pike:


“Christa has a long road to recovery,” Spivey explained. “She has a blood clot in one of her arms, she has pneumonia. She is not able to swallow yet, so she has not eaten.”

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.