Colleen Slemmer’s Family Travels to Witness Christa Pike’s Scheduled Execution

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Colleen Slemmer’s Family Travels to Witness Christa Pike Execution

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Colleen Slemmer’s parents are traveling to Tennessee to witness Christa Pike’s scheduled execution, more than 31 years after their daughter’s death.

More than three decades after the killing of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer, her parents are traveling from Florida to Tennessee to witness the scheduled execution of Christa Pike.

Pike, now 50, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville on Sept. 30, 2026.

For Slemmer’s family, the trip marks another deeply emotional moment in a case that has remained part of their lives since 1995.

A Journey More Than 30 Years in the Making

Slemmer was a student at the Knoxville Job Corps when she was killed in January 1995.

Pike, who was 18 at the time, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. Two other teenagers were also involved in the case, but received different sentences because of their ages and cooperation with prosecutors.

Slemmer’s mother, May Martinez, has spoken publicly about the impact of losing her daughter and her desire to see the execution proceed.

In an earlier interview, Martinez said being present was not about celebrating an execution. She described it as keeping a promise to her daughter.

“I’ll Hold Colleen’s Picture”

Martinez previously told local television station WBIR that she planned to travel to Tennessee with her husband.

She said she did not intend to say anything directly to Pike.

“My husband, he’ll say something. But I won’t,” Martinez said, according to The Washington Post. “I’ll hold Colleen’s picture up to remind her of what she did.”

The family’s journey comes as Pike’s remaining legal options are being pursued.

Pike’s Execution Remains Scheduled

The Tennessee Supreme Court declined to stay Pike’s execution last week.

Gov. Bill Lee also denied Pike’s clemency request on Sept. 28, saying that after reviewing the case, he would uphold the state’s sentence and did not plan to intervene.

Pike’s attorneys have continued seeking relief from the U.S. Supreme Court.

As of Sept. 29, her execution remains scheduled for Wednesday morning, although the pending federal proceedings could affect whether it proceeds as planned.

A Case That Has Lasted More Than Three Decades

The 1995 killing has remained controversial and emotionally charged.

Pike’s attorneys have emphasized her documented history of childhood abuse, trauma and mental-health problems in their efforts to have her sentence reduced.

Slemmer’s family, meanwhile, has continued to focus on the life their daughter lost.

The two sides represent profoundly different perspectives on the same case: Pike’s defense has argued that her background and circumstances should be considered in determining her punishment, while Slemmer’s family has continued to seek accountability for the death of their daughter.

What Happens Next

If the execution proceeds as scheduled, Slemmer’s parents will be among the witnesses in Tennessee.

For May Martinez, the trip represents the closing of a chapter that began with her daughter’s death more than 31 years ago.

But whether witnessing Pike’s execution will finally bring the sense of closure Martinez has sought remains a deeply personal question.

For now, the family is traveling to Nashville while Pike’s final legal challenge remains pending.

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Colleen Slemmer’s Family Travels to Witness Pike Execution

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Colleen Slemmer’s parents are traveling to Tennessee to witness Christa Pike’s scheduled execution, more than 31 years after their daughter’s death.

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