German Nurse Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Killing 10 Patients to Lighten Workload
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A nurse specializing in palliative care in Germany has been handed a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering 10 patients and attempting to kill 27 others. The individual, whose identity remains confidential, reportedly administered sedatives and potent painkillers to mostly elderly patients during overnight shifts to reduce his workload.
These crimes took place between December 2023 and May 2024 at a hospital located in Würselen, western Germany. Authorities are currently investigating additional suspicious deaths linked to the nurse’s tenure.
According to reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP), the accused had been employed at the Würselen hospital since 2020, having completed his nursing qualifications in 2007. Prosecutors described his attitude in court as marked by impatience and a disturbing lack of compassion toward patients requiring intensive care, accusing him of assuming a “role of life and death arbiter.”
Evidence presented revealed that he injected patients with excessive amounts of morphine and midazolam, a sedative and muscle relaxant, with the intent to ease his responsibilities during night shifts. His arrest occurred in early 2024 following an internal investigation.
When delivering the verdict, the Aachen court emphasized the “exceptional gravity” of the offenses, stipulating that the nurse would not be eligible for parole after 15 years, a measure reflecting the severity of his actions. The convicted individual retains the right to appeal the decision.
Prosecutors have disclosed that exhumations are underway to uncover further victims, potentially leading to additional charges and trials.
This case draws parallels to the notorious crimes of former nurse Niels Högel, who received a life sentence in 2019 for the murder of 85 patients across two hospitals in northern Germany. Högel was found to have administered fatal doses of cardiac medication between 1999 and 2005, making him one of the deadliest serial killers in Germany’s recent history.
Such incidents have sparked nationwide discussions on patient safety and the psychological pressures faced by healthcare workers, prompting calls for enhanced monitoring and support systems within medical institutions.
