Our True Crime Podcast

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.

Interested in hearing more about The Netherlands trip with OTCP in July 2028. Join us for a meeting on September 24 at 6pm CST.

More info? Go to ourtruecrimepodcast.com

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In October 1976, two teenagers took a late-night drive near a remote military base in the Missouri Ozarks and simply vanished into thin air.

Months later, a second carload of kids was pulled over by a figure of authority on those same dark roads, leading to a brutal murder and betrayal, with one brave survivor.

When the predator behind the badge is finally caught, investigators are left with a troubling question: could the same man responsible for this tragedy also be the answer to what happened to the two teens who went missing months before?

Our team:

Listener Discretion by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward October ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Research & Writing by Lauretta Allen

Executive Producers Nico & Jesse of ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Inky Pawprint⁠⁠

Sources:

Bates v. United States, 517 F. Supp. 1350 (W.D. Mo. 1981) :: Justia

234: Frozen Tears: The Fort Leonard Wood MP Murders w/ J.B. King

Crime Traveler: The Ft. Leonard Wood Massacre TRUE CRIME STORY

Alfred Elmer Hoffman Marshal – The Charley Project

Teresa Joanna Gossage – The Charley Project

701 F.2d 737

Photos of Wesley August “Wes” Hawkins - Find a Grave Memorial

Anthony Lee “Tony” Bates (1958-1977) - Find a Grave Memorial

Fort Leonard Wood - Wikipedia

History :: FORT LEONARD WOOD

Article From Jan 22, 1977, page 2 - Daily American Republic at Newspapers.com™

Oct 17, 1976, page 21 - Springfield Leader and Press at Newspapers.com™

Jan 22, 1977, page 1 - The Daily Capital News at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

May 04, 1977, page 27 - Daily American Republic at Newspapers.com™

Article From Feb 16, 1977, page 9 - Henryetta Daily Free-Lance at Newspapers.com™

May 04, 1977, page 29 - The Springfield News-Leader at Newspapers.com™

May 03, 1977, page 1 - The Springfield News-Leader at Newspapers.com™

Feb 23, 1977, page 29 - The Springfield News-Leader at Newspapers.com™

May 08, 1977, page 2 - The Kansas City Star at Newspapers.com™

Article From Jun 10, 1977, page 1 - The Kansas City Times at Newspapers.com™

Jun 10, 1977, page 4 - The Kansas City Times at Newspapers.com™

Article From Apr 16, 1980, page 2 - Daily American Republic at Newspapers.com™

Article From Jan 08, 1981, page 10 - Springfield Leader and Press at Newspapers.com™

Article From Jan 09, 1981, page 8 - Springfield Leader and Press at Newspapers.com™

Article From May 31, 1981, page 35 - Springfield Leader and Press at Newspapers.com™

Article From Aug 23, 1981, page 29 - The Kansas City Star at Newspapers.com™

The Debate Over Whether Dissociative Identity Disorder Is "Real" | Psychology Today

Jul 26, 1977, page 13 - Times Record at Newspapers.com™ (found sane)

Article From Jul 27, 1977, page 2 - The Montgomery Advertiser at Newspapers.com™

Jan 15, 1977, page 1 - Times Record at Newspapers.com™

Article From Jul 23, 1977, page 6 - The Kansas City Star at Newspapers.com™

Jul 27, 1977, page 27 - Journal and Courier at Newspapers.com™

Article From Jul 26, 1977, page 38 - Portland Press Herald at Newspapers.com™

Article From Jul 26, 1977, page 18 - Omaha World-Herald at Newspapers.com™

Article From Jan 15, 1977, page 1 - Springfield Leader and Press at Newspapers.com™

Article From Jan 15, 1977, page 2 - Springfield Leader and Press at Newspapers.com™

Jan 15, 1977, page 9 - The Register at Newspapers.com™

Jan 15, 1977, page 29 - The Times at Newspapers.com™

https://www.newspapers.com/image/887035596/?match=1&terms="Johnny%20Lee%20Thornton"%20&search-id=af39819e-93b9-4829-b9ea-44130a34b461&search-rank=7

Article From Feb 17, 1977, page 25 - Springfield Leader and Press at Newspapers.com™

Jul 27, 1977, page 1 - The Kansas City Times at Newspapers.com™

Jul 27, 1979, page 11 - The Springfield News-Leader at Newspapers.com™

May 20, 1979, page 83 - Springfield Leader and Press at Newspapers.com™

Jun 19, 1979, page 4 - Springfield Leader and Press at Newspapers.com™

Real 'Sybil' Admits Multiple Personalities Were Fake : NPR

The Mesmerizing Story of ‘Sybil Exposed’ | Kirkus Reviews

Aug 09, 1980, page 11 - Albany Democrat-Herald at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Frozen Tears: The Fort Leonard Wood MP Murders | # **EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 9 - [Frozen Tears: The Fort Leonard Wood MP Murders](https://www.facebook.com/groups/682974085504257/ | Facebook

Frederick E Williams (1958-1977) - Find a Grave Memorial

https://phelpscountyfocus.com/2023/02/15/talking-waynesville-the-mp-murders-of-1977/

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In this special episode, Cam and Jen join forces with Ash from F**K That to unravel the haunting disappearance of Danielle Bell.

Fourteen-year-old Danielle Arion Bell went missing on Friday, September 28th, 2001, from a small town just outside of Pensacola, Florida.
She was last seen at a party in a house on Cedar Tree Lane before she seemingly vanished into thin air.

Her sister, Bonnie, has been advocating for her sister’s case for years, pushing local law enforcement to conduct a proper investigation, which they initially failed to do.

If you have any information regarding her disappearance, please contact the Escambia County Sheriff's Office at (850) 436-9620.

Don’t forget to check out Ash's podcast, F**k That. Available wherever you get your podcasts.

Music by Nico Fyffe-Vettese
Editing by Jesse Fyffe-Vettese
Check them out: The Inky Paw Print

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On a cold Saturday night in January 2007, 21-year-old Channon Christian and her boyfriend, 23-year-old Christopher Newsom, set out for a party. They never arrived. By the following afternoon, two families were desperately searching Knoxville, unaware that their children had crossed paths with a group of strangers whose actions would leave behind one of the most disturbing crime scenes Tennessee had ever witnessed. This is not simply a story about extraordinary cruelty. It is also the story of two deeply loved young people, the families who refused to stop fighting for them, and a pursuit of justice that would take more than a decade to complete.

Join Cam and Jen of Our True Crime Podcast as we discuss ‘Knoxville Nightmare: Channon Christian and Christopher Newsom.’

Listener discretion by @octoberpodVHS

All music by our executive editors @theinkypawprint

Sources:

https://web.archive.org/web/20070522111056/http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0%2C1406%2CKNS_347_5277265%2C00.html

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/37878832/fifth-person-charged-in-gruesome-2007-murders-of-young-knoxville-couple

https://web.archive.org/web/20070522111056/http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0%2C1406%2CKNS_347_5277265%2C00.html

http://web.knoxnews.com/pdf/0202body_presentment.pdf

https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2018/04/04/christian-newsom-torture-slayings/485812002/

http://www.snopes.com/politics/crime/newsom.asp

https://web.archive.org/web/20210201085000/https://apps.tn.gov/foil-app/details.jsp

http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/transcript-davidson-says-he-told-christian-he-would-make-sure-she-got-out-ep-409812679-359308971.html

https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/10-years-later-remembering-christian-newsom/51-381967577

https://web.archive.org/web/20210423085932/https://casetext.com/case/us-v-boyd-6

http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/37878832/fifth-person-charged-in-gruesome-2007-murders-of-young-knoxville-couple

https://web.archive.org/web/20120526114132/http://www.wate.com/story/18618771/tennessee-supreme-court-overturns-new-trial-rulings-in-christian-newsom-murders

http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/judge-sentences-vanessa-coleman-to-35-years-ep-358988293-356193051.html/

https://web.archive.org/web/20130607191130/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/jun/04/judges-order-ensures-george-thomas-will-die-in

https://web.archive.org/web/20070605040843/http://www.crimelibrary.com/news/original/0507/0301_channon_christian.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20160116071346/http://jacksonville.com/apnews/stories/051707/D8P6ED601.shtml

https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16599622

https://web.archive.org/web/20101117170807/http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=11412794

http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/lemaricus-davidson-gets-80-more-years-in-torture-slaying-case-ep-408272924-358681941.html

https://www.oakridger.com/article/20090825/NEWS/308259998

https://web.archive.org/web/20100909110136/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/aug/26/torture-slayings-trial-day-9-jury-weighs-life-deat

https://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/the-verdicts-in-the-george-thomas-trial-ep-409259416-359047901.html/

https://web.archive.org/web/20101117170809/http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=11646588

https://web.archive.org/web/20101003193339/http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/jul/30/coleman-gets-35-years-judge-rejects-innocent-defen

https://web.archive.org/web/20220428212455/https://casetext.com/case/us-v-boyd-2

https://www.13wmaz.com/article/news/local/boyd-trial/judge-cannot-rule-on-george-thomas-sentence-deal-until-scope-of-agreement-determined/51-df8fa369-639b-4a5a-a279-cc9394b94ffe

https://web.archive.org/web/20220609144811/https://www.kvue.com/article/news/crime/list-heres-what-eric-boyd-was-found-guilty-of-in-deaths-of-channon-christian-chris-newsom/51-b089fe1e-94a1-4e46-af85-1751efff1eaa

State v. Lemaricus Devall Davidson, Tennessee Supreme Court, 2016.

State v. Letalvis Darnell Cobbins, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, 2014.

State v. George Geovonni Thomas, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, 2015.

State v. Vanessa Coleman, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, 2014.

State v. Eric Boyd, Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, 2021.

United States v. Eric Boyd, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2011.

Tennessee General Assembly, Public Chapter 694, the Chris Newsom Act.

Tennessee General Assembly, Public Chapter 713, the Channon Christian Act.

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Thank you to Mary and her partner for the request!

Picture an endless stretch of highway surrounded by thick forests where there's no cell service, and towns are hours apart. Back in July 2019, that quiet part of the Alaska Highway in Canada turned upside down when a young couple on a road trip were found shot in a ditch.

Before anyone even knew what was happening, it turned into a massive cross-country crime spree and a frantic nationwide search to track down the killers.

Join Jen and Cam as they discuss What the Raven Knows: The Alaska Highway Murders.

Our team:

Listener Discretion by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Edward October ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Research & Writing by Lauretta Allen

Executive Producers Nico & Jesse of⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Inky Pawprint⁠⁠

Source:

https://youtu.be/1zHWJtk3dnc?si=W2g3e04EHgCiDKJH

Timeline: B.C. triple murders by Kam McLeod and Bryer Schmegelsky | Vancouver Sun

Former classmates of northern B.C. murder suspect say he would describe killing himself, others | Globalnews.ca

Bryer Alan Schmegelsky (2000-2019) - Find a Grave Memorial

Kam Allan McLeod (2000-2019) - Find a Grave Memorial

Chynna Deese, Lucas Fowler murder: Mum reveals heartbreaking final texts | news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site for latest headlines

Chynna Noelle Deese - Obituary - July 15, 2019

Lucas Robertson Fowler (1995-2019) - Find a Grave Memorial

What We Know About the American-Australian Couple Murdered in Northern Canada

The murders of Chynna Deese, Lucas Fowler & Leonard Dyck – A True Crime Podcast

The Northern British Columbia Murders

Port Alberni - Wikipedia

Jul 29, 2019, page 8 - The Daily Sentinel at Newspapers.com™

Jul 24, 2019, page A6 - The Charlotte Observer at Newspapers.com™

Jul 21, 2019, page A13 - The Charlotte Observer at Newspapers.com™

Jul 23, 2019, page A4 - Asheville Citizen-Times at Newspapers.com™

Jul 26, 2019, page A12 - The Charlotte Observer at Newspapers.com™

Jul 19, 2020, page 1 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com™

Jul 19, 2020, page 8 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com™

Jul 21, 2020, page 2 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com™

Aug 16, 2019, page A8 - The Province at Newspapers.com™

Aug 08, 2019, page NP3 - The Vancouver Sun at Newspapers.com™

Aug 25, 2019, page 13 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com™

Aug 25, 2019, page 12 - The Toronto Star at Newspapers.com™

Aug 13, 2019, page A10 - Rimbey Review at Newspapers.com™

Dec 30, 2019, page A5 - Whitehorse Daily Star at Newspapers.com™

Jul 23, 2019, page A6 - National Post at Newspapers.com™

Jul 25, 2019, page A16 - The Free Press at Newspapers.com™ - Newspapers.com™

Sep 30, 2019, page A5 - Whitehorse Daily Star at Newspapers.com™

Oct 02, 2019, page A33 - Alberni Valley News at Newspapers.com™

Dec 20, 2019, page NP4 - Calgary Herald at Newspapers.com™

How the RCMP found Canada’s most wanted fugitives with a raven, a Cree trapper and luck - The Globe and Mail

New documents shed light on McLeod, Schmegelsky manhunt and 3 northern B.C. deaths

2019 Northern British Columbia murders - Wikipedia

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