Template:Healthcare serial murderers table

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The “healthcare serial murder” cases
Name Date Sex Situation Reason for suspicion Direct evidence Key evidence Evidence of foul play Motive Tendency Status
Beverley Allitt
(UK)
1991 F Unusually high number of child deaths. Post-mortem forensics consistent with non-accidental poisoning. Suspect was present during a disproportionate number of incidents.
A pattern of sudden deterioration when suspect took over their care.
None. Suspect signed out medications that were found in lethal doses in the victims. Shift pattern analysis Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning.
Witnesses saw suspect “behaving suspiciously” around patients.
None. Some evidence of attention-seeking behaviour and prior mental illness. In prison. No significant campaign challenge to her conviction.
Lucia de Berk
(Netherlands)
2010 F Unusually high number of deaths (from infants to elderly). Suspect was present during a disproportionate number of incidents.
A pattern of sudden deterioration when suspect took over their care.
None. Shift pattern analysis.
Witnesses saw suspect “behaving suspiciously” around patients.
Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning. None. None. Acquitted on retrial.
Use of statistics heavily criticised.
Susan Nelles
(Canada)
1981 F Unusually high number of infant deaths.
Initially attributed to natural causes
Suspect was present during a disproportionate number of incidents.
A pattern of sudden deterioration when suspect took over their care.
None. Shift pattern analysis.
Witnesses saw suspect “behaving suspiciously” around patients.
Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning. Expert opinion that deaths were “not natural”. None. None. Charges dropped due to lack of evidence.
Daniela Poggiali
(Italy)
2014 F Unusually high number of adult deaths. Suspect was present during a disproportionate number of incidents. None. Shift pattern analysis.
Witnesses saw suspect “behaving suspiciously” around patients.
Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning. None. None. Acquitted on retrial.
Use of statistics heavily criticised.
Jane Bolding
(USA)
1998 F Unusually high number of adult deaths. Suspect was present during a disproportionate number of incidents. None. An alleged confession obtained through coercive methods, was later retracted, and excluded from the trial. Shift pattern analysis Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning. None. None. Acquitted on retrial due to lack of evidence.
Ben Geen
(UK)
2003 M Unusually high number of adult deaths. Suspect was present during a disproportionate number of incidents. None. Shift pattern analysis
A syringe containing insulin was found hidden in suspect’s locker.
Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning. None. None. Currently in prison. Active campaign to challenge conviction.
Colin Norris
(UK)
2002 F Unusually high number of adult deaths. Suspect was present during a disproportionate number of incidents. None. Shift pattern analysis. Witnesses saw suspect “behaving suspiciously” around patients. Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning. Missing insulin from hospital fridge accessed by Norris immediately before death. Inspired by Jesse McTavish? Theft, behavioural problems. Currently in prison. CCRC review in 2021.
Rebecca Leighton (UK)[1] 2011 F Experienced nurse noticed a sudden and inexplicable drop in patients’ blood sugar levels. Tampering with saline solution. None. Leighton had access, was present at the scene and was found in possession of prescription drugs. Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning. None. Theft (of prescription drugs — for her own use!) Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Lucy Letby
(UK)
2015-6 F Unusually high number of infant deaths.
Multiple apparent causes.
Initially attributed to natural causes
Suspect was present during a disproportionate number of incidents.
A pattern of sudden deterioration when suspect took over their care.
None.
Witnesses saw suspect “behaving suspiciously” around patients.
Shift pattern analysis Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning. Expert opinion that deaths were “not natural”. None. None. Currently in prison. Active campaign to challenge conviction.
Victorino Chua (UK)[2] 2016 M Experienced nurse noticed a sudden and inexplicable drop in patients’ blood sugar levels. Saline bags clearly sabotaged. Patient dosages amended by Chua. Aggressive behaviour in one case. None. Shift pattern analysis. Saline bags clearly sabotaged. None. None. Currently in prison. No active campaign to challenge conviction.
Kristen Gilbert (US) 1996 F Disproportionate number of deaths of low risk patients. Other nurses reported concerns about high levels of cardiac deaths. None. Motivation, access to epi­nephrine, the medical evidence of victim’s symptoms, peripheral behaviour. Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning. Reconciliation with/retaliation against ex-husband. history of psychiatric illness, violence, suicide attempts, behaviour on suspicion (called in a hoax bomb threat, left hospital). Currently in prison. No active campaign to challenge conviction.
  1. See also Victorinho Chua, charged and convicted for the same 2011 Stepping Hill Hospital poisoning incident.
  2. See also Rebecca Leighton, charged for the same 2011 Stepping Hill Hospital poisoning incident.