Tennessee is preparing for what could become its first execution of a woman in more than 200 years. The state’s Supreme Court recently approved a request to move forward with the death sentence of Christa Gail Pike, now 49, who was only 18 when she murdered fellow Job Corps student Colleen Slemmer in 1995. Pike, driven by jealousy over her boyfriend, lured the 19-year-old into the woods near the University of Tennessee’s agricultural campus, where she and two accomplices carried out a brutal and ritualistic killing that shocked the nation.
Investigators described Pike’s chilling lack of remorse at the time. She reportedly laughed while confessing to the crime and even kept a fragment of the victim’s skull as a trophy. In 1996, she was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death, while her boyfriend, Tadaryl Shipp, received life without parole and their accomplice, Shadolla Peterson, received probation for cooperating with authorities. Pike’s violent behavior continued in prison — in 2004, she attempted to strangle another inmate, earning an additional 25-year sentence.
After nearly three decades of appeals, the Tennessee Supreme Court has now set Pike’s execution date for September 30, 2026. Her attorneys argue that her mental health struggles and traumatic childhood — marked by years of physical and sexual abuse — should weigh against the death penalty. They say Pike has shown remorse and personal growth behind bars, describing her today as a “thoughtful woman” who understands the magnitude of her actions.
If carried out, Pike’s execution would mark Tennessee’s first of a woman since 1820 and only the fourth in its history. It also comes after the state lifted a temporary halt on executions in 2025 following a review of its lethal injection procedures. As the date approaches, Pike’s case continues to reignite debate over justice, rehabilitation, and whether those who commit horrific crimes as teenagers should face the ultimate punishment decades later.
