A palliative care nurse in Germany has received a life sentence after being convicted of murdering 10 patients and attempting to murder 27 others. The offenses, which occurred between December 2023 and May 2024 at a hospital in Wuerselen, involved injecting patients with painkillers or sedatives.
Conviction and Sentence
A palliative care nurse in Germany was sentenced to life in prison following convictions for the murder of 10 patients and the attempted murder of 27 others. The court determined the crimes carried a "particular severity of guilt," precluding early release after 15 years. The verdict is subject to appeal.
Method and Alleged Motive
Prosecutors stated that the unnamed nurse injected mostly elderly patients with large doses of painkillers, specifically morphine, and the muscle relaxant midazolam. The prosecution alleged these actions were taken to reduce his workload during overnight shifts.
Nurse's Background and Ongoing Investigations
The nurse, whose name has not been publicly disclosed, had been employed at the hospital in Wuerselen since 2020, having completed his nursing training in 2007. During court proceedings in Aachen, prosecutors described the nurse as exhibiting "irritation" and a "lack of empathy" towards patients requiring extensive care, accusing him of acting as "master of life and death." He was arrested in 2024. Investigations are continuing into additional suspicious cases from his career. Prosecutors have also stated that exhumations are being conducted to identify further potential victims, which could lead to subsequent trials.