German Nurse Receives Life Sentence for Murdering 10 Patients to Reduce Night Workload

A German nurse has been sentenced to life in prison for murder. He killed ten patients and attempted to kill 27 others. The crimes occurred at a hospital in Wuerselen.

The 44-year-old man targeted elderly and terminally ill patients. According to the BBC, he injected them with lethal drug overdoses. His motive was to lighten his workload during night shifts.

Court Details Chilling Motive and Method

Prosecutors outlined a disturbing pattern of behavior. The nurse administered excessive doses of morphine and midazolam. These powerful sedatives caused patients to die.

He specifically targeted individuals needing high levels of care. The court found he showed a severe lack of empathy. His actions were described as playing “master of life and death.”

The crimes took place between December 2023 and May 2024. He was a trained nurse employed at the hospital since 2020. Colleagues grew suspicious of the sudden deaths on his shifts.

Life Sentence with “Particular Severity of Guilt”

The Aachen court delivered a stringent life sentence. It ruled the case demonstrated “particular severity of guilt.” This designation typically prevents early release after 15 years.

The case has triggered a wider investigation. Authorities are now exhuming several bodies. They suspect the nurse may have more victims.

This incident recalls Germany’s previous medical murder cases. In 2019, nurse Niels Hogel was convicted of killing 85 patients. He also used lethal drug injections.

The conviction brings a measure of justice, but it exposes terrifying vulnerabilities within care systems. This case of a nurse murdering patients to ease his workload will likely prompt serious institutional reforms across Germany’s healthcare sector.

Thought you’d like to know

What was the nurse’s motive?

Prosecutors stated he wanted to reduce his workload. By sedating critically ill patients, he avoided providing care throughout the night.

Who were the victims?

The victims were primarily elderly and terminally ill patients. They were under his care at the hospital in Wuerselen, Germany.

How was he caught?

Other hospital staff and doctors became suspicious. They noticed an unusual number of patient emergencies and deaths during his night shifts.

Could he be released early?

The court found “particular severity of guilt.” This ruling makes early release after 15 years highly unlikely under German law.

Are there other similar cases?

Yes. In 2019, former nurse Niels Hogel received a life sentence. He was convicted of murdering 85 patients in a similar manner at two hospitals.