Pike, 50, survived two doses of pentobarbital Wednesday night and remained alive more than 40 minutes after the last dose, witnesses said. Gov. Bill Lee suspended all scheduled executions for the rest of 2026 and ordered an independent review. Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old classmate Colleen Slemmer, committed when Pike was 18. The attempt proceeded after the US Supreme Court lifted an appeals court stay.
President Donald Trump questioned the failure Thursday, saying, “The medication didn't exactly work,” and, “It shouldn't be very difficult.” Senator Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee’s Republican gubernatorial nominee, called for officials to “bring back the electric chair.” Pike’s attorney demanded that Lee commute her sentence after the failed attempt.