Emergency help for Christa Pike was delayed by confusion after failed execution, 911 calls reveal

The 911 calls released in connection with Christa Pike's botched execution reveal that she survived two lethal injections of pentobarbital. According to a transcript and audio recording, callers reported that she was unconscious and had labored breathing an hour after receiving the sedative. The first 911 call, made at 8:40 p.m. CT on September 30, indicated that Pike was not breathing normally and was not conscious.

Pike's attorney, Kelly Gleason, also called 911, stating that Pike was still alive and breathing and needed immediate medical attention. Pike was taken off life support and released from the hospital after nearly a week, and she has since been transferred back to prison. Pike is the first person known to have survived a lethal injection using pentobarbital, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Pike's attorneys had previously raised concerns about the execution protocol, citing the risk of pain and suffering associated with the medications used. Following the botched execution, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee ordered a temporary halt to scheduled executions and former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton was appointed to conduct an independent review of the execution protocol.