Template:Healthcare serial murderers table
Name | Date | Sex | Situation | Reason for suspicion | Direct evidence | Key evidence | Evidence of foul play | Motive | Tendency | Outcome | Appeal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. | N/A |
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. | Shift pattern analysis. Suspect signed out medications that were found in lethal doses in the victims. |
Post-mortem forensics consistent with poisoning. Witnesses saw suspect “behaving suspiciously” around patients. |
None. | Convicted.| | None. | |
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. | Convicted. | Acquitted on retrial due to lack of evidence. | |
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. | Convicted.| | None. | |
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? | Convicted. | CCRC review in 2021. | |
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. | Convicted. | Active campaign. | |
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. | Convicted. | Acquitted on retrial. Use of statistics heavily criticised. | |
Victorino Chua (UK)[1] | 2011 | 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. | Convicted.| | None. | |
Rebecca Leighton (UK)[2] | 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. | N/A |
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. | Convicted. | Acquitted on retrial. Use of statistics heavily criticised. | |
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. | Convicted. | Active campaign. |