Tennessee governor suspends executions after ‘deeply disturbing’ failed lethal injection

Independent inquiry ordered after halted execution of Christa Pike, who was convicted of murder

• Christa Pike: what we know so far about Tennessee woman’s failed execution

Tennessee’s governor on Thursday said it was “deeply disturbing” that his state botched the execution of a death row prisoner who remained alive and snoring 40 minutes after receiving a double dose of the lethal drug that should have quickly killed her.

Bill Lee, a Republican, has suspended all executions in the state until at least the end of the year and ordered an independent inquiry after Wednesday night’s failed attempt to put to death Christa Pike, who was convicted of murder, at the execution chamber in Nashville.