Tennessee governor halts executions after Christa Gail Pike survives lethal injection

Emergency vehicles arrive at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution after the execution of Christa Pike was halted Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

Tennessee officials were unable to put Christa Gail Pike to death Wednesday for a 1995 murder after administering two doses of a lethal drug. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee halted the remaining execution for the year.

(Image credit: George Walker IV)