Kristen Avery Pittman was born Christopher Frank Pittman on April 9, 1989. She had a difficult childhood. By the time she was twelve years old, she had run away from home twice. She also threatened suicide, which led to police involvement. After these incidents, she was placed in a facility for troubled or runaway children for six days. During her stay, doctors prescribed her Paxil to help with mild depression.

Her family life was complicated. Her father, Joe, had a history of being abusive. Her mother had left the family on two occasions. Because of these issues, her father decided to send her to live with her grandparents in Chester, South Carolina. For Kristen, her paternal grandparents provided some stability amid the challenges she faced at home.

In Chester, Kristen saw a new doctor. This doctor did not have any Paxil available, so he gave her Zoloft instead. Zoloft is another medication for depression. Changing medications like this can sometimes be problematic, especially for young people. Soon after starting Zoloft, Kristen began to experience severe side effects. Her sister described her as "manic," and Kristen reported feeling a burning sensation in her body. She struggled with these side effects, which led to an increase in her dosage.

On November 28, 2001, Kristen Avery Pittman committed a double murder. After an argument on the school bus and other troubling behaviors, she returned home. That night, after being punished by her grandfather, she went into her grandparents' bedroom. Using their own shotgun, which she had learned to use, she killed Joe and Joy Pittman.

Following the murders, she set fire to their house using a candle and papers. Pittman then took her grandparents' car, their guns, her dog, and $33 before leaving the scene. She was later caught after getting stuck in the car two counties away. Initially, she created a false story about a large black male who had kidnapped her after murdering her grandparents and setting fire to the house. Eventually, she confessed to the crime and stated that her grandparents deserved what happened.

Kristen was tried as an adult three years later. The trial raised important questions, including whether her mental state was affected by the medication Zoloft. Her defense argued about her mental capacity for her age and the influence of the medication. However, the prosecution focused on her actions before and after the crime, arguing that she knew right from wrong.

On February 15, 2005, Pittman was convicted of murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Her conviction sparked controversy, with jurors later claiming they felt pressured during the deliberations. Over the years, she appealed her conviction multiple times, including an appeal denied by the United States Supreme Court.

In 2010, after presenting a petition for post-conviction relief, she was granted a new trial. Later that year, she accepted a plea bargain, pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter. She received a 25-year sentence that included time already served. While in prison, Pittman transitioned and legally changed her name.

She was released on February 22, 2023, and is required to complete two years of state supervision.