A Berlin doctor has been charged with murder for the deaths of 15 patients receiving palliative care, prosecutors said Wednesday. He is also accused of trying to hide evidence by launching a fire in their home.
The doctor was part of the Nursing Services’ end-of-life care team, initially suspected of the deaths of only four patients. That number has creeped up high since last summer, and investigators now say they have found evidence that between September 22nd and July 24th, 2021, that led to 15 deaths.
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The ages of the victims ranged from 25 to 94. Most died in their own homes.
A Berlin doctor is charged with murder for the deaths of 15 patients. (Reuters/Fabriziovensch)
He is said to have given patients anesthetics and muscle relaxants without knowledge or consent. Drug cocktails are said to have subsequently paralyzed the respiratory muscles. The breathing arrest and death continued within minutes, according to prosecutors.
The doctor – a 40-year-old man whose name has not been released in line with German privacy rules – has been in custody since August 6th. Prosecutors said Wednesday that they have not yet responded to the lawsuit against him.
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The charges were filed in the Berlin State Court. The Berlin State Court must decide whether to bring the case to justice.
The murder charge is sentenced to the greatest life sentence in prison. Prosecutors said they aim to ask the court to ensure that suspects feel particularly severe guilty. This means that in Germany, they are usually not eligible for release after 15 years. They also want him to be banned from his profession for life.
