It’s been nearly three decades since Christa Gail Pike was convicted of the brutal murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in Knoxville, Tennessee — and a new execution date has now been set. The Tennessee Supreme Court has scheduled Pike’s execution for September 30, 2026. If carried out, she would become the first woman executed in Tennessee in 200 years and one of the few women executed in modern U.S. history.

The crime took place in 1995 when Pike was 18 years old. Prosecutors say jealousy over a boyfriend led her to lure Slemmer, a fellow student at the Knoxville Job Corps, into a wooded area. What followed was an hour-long attack that ended in Slemmer’s death. Her body was discovered the next day by a groundskeeper, who initially believed it belonged to an animal due to the severity of the injuries.

In the aftermath, Pike’s behavior shocked investigators and witnesses. Hours after the discovery, she reportedly returned to the crime scene and spoke with officers, asking questions about the investigation. Court testimony later described her as unusually calm, with some witnesses saying she appeared to be “giggling.” She was arrested the following day and sentenced to death in 1996 after being found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Now 49, Pike remains on death row while her legal team continues to appeal her sentence, arguing her age at the time and mental health conditions should be considered. They are seeking a reduced sentence of life without parole. Meanwhile, Slemmer’s family continues to call for justice, saying the pain of the loss has never gone away.