Christa Pike Final Words Revealed After Media Witness Recalls Horror of Botched Lethal Injection
Christa Pike told witnesses she was 'at peace' before the execution began
Christa Pike told witnesses she was 'at peace' and ready to be free before her scheduled execution in Tennessee, but the procedure took a disturbing turn when she appeared to remain awake, complained of severe arm pain and was later heard loudly snoring after two doses of pentobarbital. Pike, 50, survived the failed execution on 30 September and was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Pike gave her final statement after the curtains to the execution chamber opened at about 7:26 pm, according to media witness Tori Gessner of WKRN.
Gessner recalled Pike saying she would leave the world 'the way I spent most of my life, and that is in love.' Pike also said she had love for people who were 'out here hating on her.'
She closed her statement by saying, 'I'm at peace. I'm ready to be free.' She also spoke about celebrating her freedom before ending with, 'This is a happy day.'
Pike's spiritual adviser then sang with her and stroked her head. Gessner said the song repeatedly included the words 'I love you.'
@pinkcamosoul A media witness describes what happened inside during Christa Pike's execution, including Pike's final words, her demeanor and the events witnessed in the execution chamber. This comes after an extraordinary evening of court filings, a stay and the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately clearing Tennessee to proceed. Follow for courtroom updates & ongoing cases. #ChristaPike #ChristaPikeExecution #TrueCrime #TrueCrimeNews #TennesseeNews ♬ original sound - Pink Camo Soul
Pike Said Her Arm Felt Like It Would 'Burst Open'
As the execution began, Gessner said Pike appeared notably awake. She gave several loud exhales and looked around the chamber.
At about 7:34 pm, Pike reportedly said, 'My arm feels like it's about to burst open.' She then referred to a spot on her arm and asked, 'Does this happen like that?'
Her spiritual adviser reportedly told her to relax, to which Pike replied, 'I'm trying.' Gessner said Pike continued talking, breathing, moaning and snoring during the procedure.
The account provides the key witness detail behind reports that Pike remained responsive during the attempted execution.
Witnesses Heard Pike Snoring After Lethal Injection
The execution chamber curtains closed for the first time at 7:46pm, when Gessner said Pike was still clearly alive. They reopened three minutes later, with witnesses reporting that Pike's mouth was open and she was audibly snoring.
The curtains closed again at about 8:06pm. Gessner said media witnesses could still hear Pike snoring after they closed and repeatedly asked for the curtains to be reopened.
Another witness described hearing gasps and groans as Pike remained inside the chamber. Media witnesses were eventually escorted out at about 8:53pm, while Pike could still reportedly be heard.
Tennessee Halts Executions After Pike Survives
Officials administered two doses of pentobarbital, but Pike remained alive. She was eventually transported to an off-site medical facility, where her lawyers said she was receiving lifesaving care and was in critical condition.
The Tennessee Department of Correction said it followed the state's established execution protocol. Governor Bill Lee subsequently suspended executions in Tennessee for the remainder of 2026 and ordered a comprehensive third-party review.
Pike's failed execution was also Tennessee's second unsuccessful execution attempt of 2026, after officials halted Tony Carruthers' lethal injection in May when they could not establish intravenous access.
Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 killing of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer, when Pike was 18. She had been on Tennessee's death row for decades before the failed execution attempt.
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