Key Takeaways
- Christa Pike survived a botched execution and regained consciousness after lethal injection attempts.
- Her attorney revealed that she began speaking after being declared ‘brain dead’ and was on life support.
- Pike had spent days on a ventilator and developed complications such as a blood clot and pneumonia.
- She has been on death row since 1996 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer, and her execution was scheduled for September 30.
- Pike is the only known person in U.S. history to survive after lethal injection was administered during an execution.
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Christa Pike, a woman who survived a botched execution despite receiving two intravenous doses of a lethal substance, has regained consciousness. According to a report by PEOPLE Magazine, her attorney, Randy Spivey, shared the first words his client spoke. This was after she woke up from the unsuccessful attempt on her life.
During a news conference outside a Tennessee courthouse on Wednesday, October 7, Spivey revealed what Pike allegedly said moments after she regained consciousness. This occurred after lethal injection drugs were administered during her execution on Wednesday, September 30. Furthermore, this happened after she had spent several days on a ventilator in the hospital.
“I was not in the room when she woke up, so I don’t want to speculate too much. Our understanding was the first thing she said was, ‘Where am I and who are you?’ ” Spivy said, per a CNN clip. “There’s still a lot of cognitive confusion, and so I will say that.”
PEOPLE Magazine
Further, Spivy said Pike has been seeking information about what happened and asking about the people involved in her case.
“She has wanted to know what’s happened and she’s asked about several people. She’s asked about her team. She’s asked about the victim’s family. I think she is angry and confused about everything,” he said.
PEOPLE Magazine
Authorities declared Pike to be brain dead on October 5, she began talking on October 6
According to PEOPLE, Spivy revealed that on Monday, October 5, authorities declared Pike to be “brain dead.” Consequently, doctors planned to remove her “life support” the following day. However, “to the shock of everyone, Christa woke up and began talking” on Tuesday, October 6.
Spivy mentioned that he does not have an explanation for what occurred between Monday night and Tuesday morning. However, he stated that Pike had developed a blood clot in her arm and had also contracted pneumonia.
Christa Pike has been on death row since 1996 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer. Authorities scheduled her execution for September 30. During the execution at the Riverbend Maximum Security Prison in Nashville, they administered two rounds of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital. However, she survived.
Her lawyers state that she is the only known person in U.S. history to survive after lethal injection drugs were administered during an execution.
After spending several days on a ventilator in the hospital, Pike was reported to be “conscious” and “speaking” as of October 6, according to her attorneys.