Something straight out of a horror show unfolded in Germany, involving a real-life nurse and his shocking attempt to ease his workload. According to a report by the BBC, a 44-year-old palliative care nurse in Germany has been found guilty of murdering 10 patients and attempting to kill 27 others. The court has sentenced him to life imprisonment for these crimes.
Investigations revealed that the nurse did not act out of revenge or for money. His motive was far more disturbing — he killed patients simply to lighten his workload during night shifts. Over a span of more than five months, from December 2023 to May 2024, he went on a killing spree at the Rhein-Maas-Klinikum hospital in Würselen, near Aachen, where he had been employed since 2020.
Each night, as he made his rounds, he targeted patients who required more attention and care. Under the guise of easing their pain, the nurse administered lethal injections of morphine and midazolam, drugs meant to comfort those in pain, not end their lives.
The pattern of killings came to light in July 2024, when hospital administrators noticed a sudden drop in patient deaths while the nurse was on vacation. The anomaly prompted them to conduct an internal audit, which revealed alarming irregularities in medication logs. The hospital then alerted law enforcement, leading to his arrest later that summer. Subsequent toxicology tests confirmed the presence of morphine and midazolam in several deceased patients, triggering a full-scale investigation.
The trial began in March 2025 at the Aachen Regional Court. Prosecutor Marius Saalmann described the defendant as suffering from a personality disorder and narcissistic traits, saying he worked in a profession he “never wanted to work in” and could not bear the suffering of palliative care patients.
The defense countered this portrayal, arguing that their client never intended to kill and sought an acquittal, claiming the overdoses were unintended side effects of misjudged sedation.
The nurse was initially charged with five murders and 25 attempted murders, but as investigators exhumed bodies and uncovered new toxicology evidence, the number of confirmed cases expanded.
On November 6, 2025, the court convicted him of murdering 10 patients and attempting to murder 27, sentencing him to life imprisonment with a finding of “particular severity of guilt.” This ruling means he cannot apply for early parole after 15 years, effectively ensuring life-long incarceration.
Investigations remain ongoing, with prosecutors examining several other suspicious deaths from his earlier employment. Authorities have not ruled out a second trial if new victims are identified.
Doctors prescribe morphine, a potent opioid medicine, to manage severe pain that does not respond to milder painkillers. It helps patients suffering from major injuries, cancer, post-surgical pain, or heart attacks. Morphine can also ease shortness of breath and anxiety in those with advanced illnesses or pulmonary edema.
By acting directly on the central nervous system, morphine dulls pain and induces a sense of calm. Under medical supervision, it remains one of the most effective drugs for pain management in palliative care and critical care settings. 1
Doctors use midazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, to calm anxiety, reduce agitation, relax muscles, and control seizures. It enhances the effect of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps the brain relax.
Because it acts quickly and wears off fast, doctors can adjust doses easily to suit a patient’s changing needs. This makes midazolam a vital medicine in intensive care units and end-of-life care for managing distress or discomfort. 2
The court in Aachen assured the public that the nurse would face the severest punishment possible, life imprisonment. What makes this case truly spine-chilling is the lack of remorse and the cold-blooded nature of the acts.
For someone trained since 2007 to heal and care for patients, killing them to reduce workload represents a horrifying betrayal of the medical oath. Investigators continue to exhume bodies to determine whether this was an isolated episode or part of a career-long pattern of violence.
This case has drawn inevitable comparisons to Niels Högel, Germany’s worst post-war serial killer, who was convicted in 2019 of murdering 85 patients. Högel’s motive was to induce cardiac arrest in patients so he could later revive them and play the hero.
In a chilling parallel, another case is currently underway: Johannes M., a 40-year-old palliative care specialist, went on trial in July 2025 in Berlin for allegedly killing 15 patients between 2021 and 2024, and in at least five cases, setting fire to victims’ homes to cover up the crimes.
The court in Aachen emphasized that the nurse would face the severest punishment permitted under German law. The lack of remorse, combined with the calculated and emotionless nature of his acts, horrified the public. The case has prompted renewed calls for stricter monitoring systems in palliative and geriatric wards across Germany.
For someone trained to care and comfort, the deliberate act of ending patients’ lives marks a profound betrayal of trust, a real-life horror story that Germany is still trying to come to terms with.
References:
1. Dydyk, Alexander M., Manas Sharma, and Kevin M. Fischman. "Morphine." StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548230/.
2. Twycross, Robert, Andrew Wilcock, and Paul Howard. "Pharmacology of Drugs Used in Palliative Care." Palliative Care Formulary (PCF6). BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care 10, no. 4 (2020): 417–422. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7065504/.
(Rh/ARC)
Edited by M Subha Maheswari