TRUE CRIME FRIDAY: The Case of Colleen Slemmer

Ninetoes and America learned of Christa Pike’s failed execution, and he wanted to learn more about what she did to be put on Death Row, and it’s a little cringey.

Hey there, true crime lovers! It is your favorite investigator, Ninetoes, coming to you from Ninetoes HQ, and I am on the beat with The Case of Colleen Slemmer. I have my notebook in hand and coffee in my system, so let’s get to it!

Colleen Slemmer has been described as kind, independent, and caring by those who knew and loved her. She also had a strong interest in helping others. She volunteered with the Special Olympics, loved working with kids, and also enjoyed working with computers. It is her love of computers that encouraged her to leave her home in Orange Park, Florida, and go to computer classes at the Knoxville Job Corps in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is here, at the Job Corps, that she will meet Christa Pike and meet an untimely end.

Christa Pike started at the Knoxville Job Corps around the same time as Colleen Slemmer. She started dating classmate Tadaryl Shipp and built a friendship with Shadolla Peterson. Christa felt threatened by Colleen Slemmer, thinking that Colleen was making moves on “her man”. Christa, Tadaryl, and Shadolla lured Colleen to an abandoned steam plant near the University of Tennessee campus under the pretense of making peace.

When everyone gathered at the steam plant, Shipp and Pike attacked Colleen. Shadolla Peterson stood as lookout; for the next half hour, Shipp and Pike beat and slashed Colleen. Shipp then carved a pentagram into Colleen’s chest while she was still alive. Christa took a piece of her skull, which she would then show off at school.

Colleen Slemmer’s body was found the next morning, and within thirty-six hours, Pike, Shipp, and Peterson were arrested. Pike waived her Miranda rights. She confessed to the murder of Colleen Slemmer, but told the police they were trying to scare Slemmer and it got out of hand. Pike, Shipp, and Peterson were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Peterson agreed to testify for the prosecution and received probation after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact.

Christa Pike was sentenced to death by electrocution, and an additional twenty-five years for the charge of conspiracy to commit murder. Shipp was found guilty on both counts, and he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Tennessee’s protocol for administering the death penalty was changed from electrocution to lethal injection in the year 2000. This changed Christa Pike’s death sentence as well. At one point, Christa Pike requested a firing squad in a legal filing.

On September 20, 2026, Christa Pike’s death sentence was carried out…almost. Two doses of the drug used for execution, pentobarbital, were administered, but failed to kill her. She was on the table, snoring. She never lost consciousness, and she had a heartbeat. She was then taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Details of her condition have not been released, but medical experts feel that she suffered severe brain damage due to the drugs and delayed resuscitation.

On October 6, 2026, it was reported that Christa Pike did regain consciousness and is speaking. It is not known what she said, but her attorney is actively working to have her sentence changed to life in prison.

Until the next time, I wish you successful investigations.

Darren “Ninetoes” Perdue is a book and media reviewer. When he is not reading, he is watching true crime shows, cooking for his family, or working on a plan for universal domination. If you see him on his porch, say hi. He does not bite…much.

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