[UPDATE] Christa Pike survives two pentobarbital doses; Tennessee cancels its last 2026 execution

Pike, 50, is hospitalized in critical condition after roughly an hour of IV attempts.

Bill Lee (Gov-R Tennessee) canceled the state's one remaining 2026 execution and ordered a third-party review. Pike is in the hospital in critical condition after at least seven needles and two doses.

PREVIOUSLY

Sep. 30 — A Sixth Circuit panel voted 2-1 to halt Pike's execution about an hour before it was set to begin. That evening, the Supreme Court lifted the stay. Its three liberal justices dissented.

Second failed Tennessee execution this year, after Tony Carruthers' in May.
Pike's lawyers are demanding commutation and say they warned her vein problems made this predictable.
Marsha Blackburn (Sen-R Tennessee), the GOP nominee for governor: "bring back the electric chair and deliver justice for these victims swiftly."