377. “Lil Devil”: Christa Pike’s Road to Execution — The Murder of Colleen Slemmer
Author: Our True Crime Podcast
September 16, 2026
Duration: 1:22:56
As of the release of this episode, Christa Pike remains scheduled to be executed by lethal injection by the State of Tennessee on September 30, 2026. If that status changes or new information becomes available, we will update accordingly.
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Little Devil: Christa Pike
On the evening of January 12, 1995, Christa Pike stepped into the room of her friend Kim Iloilo at the Knoxville Job Corps Center and casually announced that she, her boyfriend Tadaryl Shipp, their friend Shadolla Peterson, and Colleen Slemmer were heading out to smoke marijuana. The combination immediately struck Kim as odd. Christa hated Colleen. So why, suddenly, were they going anywhere together?
When Kim questioned her, Christa simply smiled, winked, and walked away. A little more than two hours later, at approximately 10:15 p.m., Kim saw Christa, Tadaryl, and Shadolla return to the center.
Colleen did not return.
What had happened during those missing hours would become one of the most brutal murder cases in Tennessee history and a pending execution that is slated to happen on September 30, 2026. If the execution happens this month, she will be the first woman executed by the state of Tennessee since 1820.
Join Cam and Jen as we discuss “Lil Devil”: Christa Pike’s Road to Execution — The Murder of Colleen Slemmer.
Listener discretion by @octoberpodVHS
All music by our E.P @theinkypawprint
Sources:
[Sources: STATE v. PIKE (1998) Supreme Court of Tennessee, at Knoxville; United States Court of Appeal (2018)]
[Media source: World’s Most Dangerous Prisoners S1 E8 Pike (2024)]
https://youtu.be/Wo10ToeqHG0?is=D1xdW_2G9f3XAgPC
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BSEZ_lV40xlIsEVBuQV8zkvP2nSKS3Gc/view
https://web.archive.org/web/20170920093004/http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-18901.html
https://www.willkern.com/pike.html
https://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/pike-s-own-words-did-her-in---court-not-convinced-killer-reacted-to-save-another-inmates-life-ep-894-353644061.html/
https://web.archive.org/web/20120329203025/http://www.ksdk.com/news/crime/article/311792/147/Death-row-inmate-woos-NJ-man-and-guard-to-help-plan-escape
https://www.amnestyusa.org/press-releases/amnesty-international-members-worldwide-urge-tennessee-governor-bill-lee-to-stop-the-execution-of-christa-pike/
https://dpw.lawschool.cornell.edu/advocacy/christa-pike/
North, John. “September 2026 Execution Date Set for Christa Gail Pike, Only Woman on Tennessee’s Death Row.” WBIR / 10 News.
Lakin, Matt. “Hearing for Convicted Job Corps Killer Pike Resumes.” Knoxville News Sentinel, April 7, 2008.
Hale, Steven. “Tennessee Is Seeking an Execution Date for the Only Woman on the State’s Death Row.” Nashville Scene, June 8, 2021.
Jorge, Kaylin. “Only Woman on Death Row in Tennessee Seeks Commutation of Sentence.” Fox 17 / WZTV, June 8, 2021.
Pike v. Gross. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Brand, Bethany. “Forensic Psychological Addendum.” June 1, 2026.
“Claude Davis Charging & No Contest Plea.”
Satterfield, Jamie. “Federal Judge’s Ruling Opens Death Chamber Door for Christa Gail Pike.” Knoxville News Sentinel, March 11, 2016.
North, John. “Judge Dismisses Death Row Inmate Christa Pike’s Bid to Reopen Her Criminal Case.” WBIR-TV, October 31, 2023.
Satterfield, Jamie. “Rejected Appeal for Pike Revealing: Defense’s Testimony Details Death Row Inmate’s Childhood.” Knoxville News Sentinel, December 21, 2008.
Satterfield, Jamie. “Pike’s Own Words Did Her In — Court Not Convinced Killer Reacted to Save Another Inmate’s Life.” Knoxville News Sentinel, March 9, 2006.
Queally, James. “Raritan TWP Man Arrested.” The Star-Ledger.
Donila, Mike. “Federal Court Denies Pike’s Request to Overturn Death Penalty.” WBIR-TV, March 11, 2016.
“Slaying Suspect, 17, Will Be Tried as Adult; Grisly Tale of Job Corps Victim’s Death Told at Hearing.” Knoxville News Sentinel.
Holt, Erin. “Christa Pike Woos Donald Kohut and Justin Heflin to Help Plan Escape.” KSDK, March 22, 2012.
Satterfield, Jamie. “Judge Denies Job Corps Killer’s Appeal: Pike Will Stay on Death Row.” Knoxville News Sentinel, December 11, 2008.
“Tennessee Prisoner Faces 45 More Counts in N.J.” Hunterdon County Democrat.
Mealins, Evan. “Tennessee’s Only Woman on Death Row Featured in ‘Mean Girl Murders.’ Here’s What to Know.” USA Today, May 21, 2024.
Pike v. State, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, April 25, 2011.
“Murder Victim’s Mother Begs TN to Release Skull Fragment.” WBIR, January 16, 2015.
Loggins, Kirk. “Love and Hate on Death Row.” The Tennessean, July 6, 2003.
Sweeney, Catherine. “Special Master Declines Intervention in Christa Pike Execution.” WPLN News, August 22, 2026.
“Petition Alleging Violations of the Human Rights of Christa Pike by the United States of America and Request for Precautionary Measures.”
Satterfield, Jamie. “Final Death-Row Appeal of Christa Gail Pike Delayed Again.” Knoxville News Sentinel.
Caulfield, Philip. “2 Busted in Plot to Spring Female Killer From Death Row.” New York Daily News, March 22, 2012.
“Women on Death Row.” Tennessee Department of Correction.
Kenner, Randy. “Court of Criminal Appeals Grants Pike Stay of Execution.” Knoxville News Sentinel, August 2, 2002.
“Pair Planned to Copy Jail Key.” Chattanooga Times Free Press / Associated Press, March 24, 2012.
“Chattanooga Federal Judge Upholds Conviction of Christa Pike, Who Carried Out Torture Murder of Romantic Rival.” The Chattanoogan, March 17, 2016.
“Tadaryl Shipp Convicted.” The Orlando Sentinel, March 9, 1997.
Bedard, Hayley. “Death-Sentenced Prisoner Christa Pike Files Religious Challenge to Tennessee’s Execution Protocol.” Death Penalty Information Center, January 27, 2026.
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