What happened in failed execution of Christa Pike - and what next?
The convicted killer is in hospital in Tennessee after surviving two lethal injections, in a case that has raised many questions.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"It's very possible that as a consequence of the delay of the beginning of resuscitation she will have a brain injury."
— Joel Zivot , Academic
"We cannot know exactly what went wrong, because so much happened behind a curtain – lethal injection relies on secrecy at every stage, to hide the violence of the state taking a human life."
— Maya Foa , Activist
Key People
Tennessee Governor who announced plans to rename Nashville airport after Dolly Parton.
Christa Pike is a woman on death row in Tennessee, convicted of murder in 1995.
Colleen Slemmer was a victim of a brutal murder in 1995.
Dr. Joel Zivot is a professor at Emory University School of Medicine who served as a medical expert for Pike's legal team.
Maya Foa is the chief executive of the international legal organization Reprieve.
Locations
All Coverage
The convicted killer is in hospital in Tennessee after surviving two lethal injections, in a case that has raised many questions.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Public executions in the US stopped nearly a century ago - why are they resuming now?
The Pentagon says the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan will be livestreamed, but experts suggest officials are reading the country wrong.
October 10, 2026 at 05:48 AMEx-Deutsche Bank trader jailed for rigging rates has conviction overturned
The Court of Appeal quashes the conviction of Christian Bittar, a former Deutsche Bank trader jailed in 2018.
October 9, 2026 at 02:36 PMChrista Pike has 'profound' health turnaround after botched execution, lawyers say
Pike's lawyers say her recovery is "remarkable" as they give an update on her condition after she survived an execution attempt by lethal injection.
October 9, 2026 at 02:09 AMWhat Americans think about the death penalty
The BBC spoke to Americans and international tourists in Washington DC about their views on the death penalty following the botched execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee.
October 8, 2026 at 09:49 PMResidents win Curo service charge legal battle
People living in a block of flats take their landlord to tribunal over a 300 per cent increase.
October 8, 2026 at 04:39 PMChrista Pike now walking after failed US execution, lawyer tells BBC
A lawyer says the murderer of Colleen Slemmer is moving around her hospital room after surviving two lethal injections.
October 8, 2026 at 08:13 AM