Christa Gail Pike will become the first woman executed in Tennessee since 1819 when she faces lethal injection on Sept. 30, 2026.

Pike was sentenced to death for the brutal 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in Knoxville, making her only the fourth woman in the state's history to face execution, according to Fox News. The 18-year-old Pike was convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and has remained on death row for nearly three decades.

Pike tortured and killed Slemmer after luring her into the woods near the University of Tennessee's agricultural campus on Jan. 12, 1995. The conviction marked one of the most shocking crimes in Tennessee's recent history due to its particularly violent nature.

Brutal Details of 1995 Murder

Pike committed an exceptionally violent crime that involved multiple forms of torture against her victim. She cut Slemmer's throat with a box cutter and struck her with a cleaver during the prolonged attack.

The assault escalated as Pike carved a pentagram into Slemmer's chest before crushing her skull with asphalt. Pike's actions demonstrated a level of premeditation and cruelty that shocked investigators and the local community.

After killing Slemmer, Pike kept a fragment of the victim's skull as a macabre trophy. She later displayed this skull piece to classmates, revealing the disturbing nature of her psychological state following the murder.

Accomplices Receive Different Sentences

Pike did not act alone in committing the murder, working alongside Tadaryl Shipp and another friend. The three conspirators successfully lured Slemmer to the isolated location where the killing occurred.

Shipp received a sentence of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole for his role in the crime. The third participant cooperated with prosecutors by testifying against Pike and received only probation.

The disparity in sentences reflected Pike's role as the primary perpetrator of the violence. Court proceedings established Pike as the driving force behind both the planning and execution of Slemmer's murder.

Legal Challenges and Prison Conduct

Pike's defense attorneys have mounted arguments against her execution based on several mitigating factors. They cite her young age at the time of the crime, along with a documented history of childhood trauma.

"Christa's childhood was fraught with years of physical and sexual abuse and neglect," her defense attorneys stated. They also point to diagnoses of bipolar disorder and PTSD as factors that should exempt her from capital punishment.

Pike's behavior while incarcerated has complicated her legal situation significantly. She was convicted in 2004 of attempting to strangle a fellow inmate, resulting in an additional 25-year sentence.

Why This Story Matters

This case represents far more than a moment in legal history—it reopens conversations around capital punishment, mental health, and juvenile justice. The execution would mark a rare and symbolic act of accountability that has broad implications for how we address violent crimes committed by young adults.

For the people of Tennessee and beyond, the case calls attention to gaps in social services and criminal rehabilitation. It also offers an opportunity to reflect on how society handles punishment, restitution, and mercy. This is more than a legal endpoint—it’s a chance to examine how lives are shaped by both personal choice and systemic failure.

Conclusion

Christa Gail Pike is scheduled for execution on Sept. 30, 2026, following her 1996 conviction for the torture and murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in Knoxville. Pike, who was 18 at the time and now 49, could become the first woman executed in Tennessee since 1820. Her case has been marked by disturbing details of brutality, a protracted appeals process, and ongoing debates over her mental health and troubled upbringing. Legal experts, advocates, and the broader Tennessee community now wait to see whether justice will be served and how history will judge the decision to carry out the sentence.