Tennessee prison chief Frank Strada is resigning days after the botched execution of Christa Pike left her unconscious and on a ventilator.
Strada, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Correction, said stepping down was “in the best interests” of the state as officials begin a third-party review into why the execution failed.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the resignation on Saturday and said he was “grateful for his commitment” to ensuring a smooth transition.
Mr Lee added: “I appreciate his willingness to put the interests of Tennesseans first during this difficult moment.”
The resignation follows two lethal injections during Pike’s execution, after which she was reported to be snoring and unconscious. Her legal team has since said she remains unconscious and is being kept on a ventilator.
