Frank Strada, commissioner of the Department of Correction in Tennessee, said he will resign his position at the end of the month following the botched execution of Christa Pike, a convicted killer who survived two lethal injections Wednesday night. 

Mr Strada’s leadership oversaw the failed execution that left Ms Pike in a critical condition in a medical facility, her lawyers said. She has burns and blisters across her arms due to the lethal pentobarbital.

Ms Pike, 50, was placed on a ventilator, living her worst fear of a painful death, igniting public outcry as many demanded Mr Strada’s resignation.

But the prison chief’s exit appeared not to placate Ms Pike’s lawyers. While describing the resignation as “justified”, her legal team said the decision has no impact on their client’s health.

“It does nothing to help Christa now,” the lawyers said. “What happened to her Wednesday reflects a systemic failure that goes far beyond any one person.” 

Governor Bill Lee launched an inquiry to determine why two lethal doses of pentobarbital did not end the killer’s life.

“We hope the governor’s call for a full, independent review will expose the profound problems within Tennessee’s entire death penalty system,” the lawyers said.

Mr Lee said he accepted Mr Strada’s resignation.

“I appreciate his willingness to put the interests of Tennesseans first during this difficult moment,” Mr Lee said in a statement Saturday. “I have accepted his decision to step down and am grateful for his commitment to ensuring a smooth leadership transition.”

Senator Richard Briggs, a Republican chairing a committee that oversees the Tennessee Department of Correction, on Saturday made calls for a speedy replacement of a new prison chief.

“I’m sorry it had to take that for him to resign, but it’s time for us to move on and find another leader,” he said.