The shocking crime was committed to make his night shifts easier by reducing the number of patients he had to care for.
According to prosecutors, the nurse, whose name has not been made public under German privacy laws, worked in the palliative care unit at a hospital in Würselen, western Germany.
He injected elderly patients with strong painkillers or sedatives, causing their deaths between December 2023 and May 2024.
Investigations revealed that the nurse acted out of selfishness and laziness.
He reportedly said he wanted to “ease his workload” during night shifts, which were often busy and stressful. Instead of caring for his patients, he gave them unprescribed drugs that eventually led to their deaths.
The court heard that several patients under his care died mysteriously over a short period, raising suspicion among other hospital staff.
When medical examiners carried out tests, they discovered traces of powerful drugs that were never prescribed to the victims. The findings directly linked the nurse to the deaths.
Prosecutors told the court that the nurse had worked at the hospital since 2020, after completing his training as a nursing professional in 2007.
His crimes were finally exposed after a detailed internal investigation by the hospital management.
The nurse showed little emotion throughout the trial. Authorities said he had no genuine remorse for his actions, even after learning that most of his victims were elderly people who depended on him for care and comfort.
German health officials have condemned the incident, calling it a serious betrayal of trust in the healthcare system.
They have urged hospitals to strengthen background checks and monitor staff more closely, especially those working in stressful departments like palliative care.
Police have also opened new investigations into other hospitals where the man previously worked, fearing that more patients might have died under similar circumstances.
Families of the victims expressed relief at the life sentence but said the pain of losing their loved ones could never be healed. Many described the nurse as “a heartless man who turned care into cruelty.”
The case has shocked the nation and renewed calls for stronger oversight in medical institutions.
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