Abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell, known for his ‘House of Horrors,’ passes away while serving life sentences

Kermit Gosnell, Doctor Convicted of Murder, Dies at 85

Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia doctor known for his gruesome practices in the abortion industry, has passed away at the age of 85. He was convicted in 2013 for murdering three babies who were born alive in his clinic.

Maria Bivens, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, confirmed that Gosnell died on March 1 in a hospital outside of prison. At the time of his death, he was serving multiple life sentences at Smithfield, a correctional facility located approximately 90 miles south of Pittsburgh. Details surrounding the cause of his death have not been made public.

Gosnell’s clinic, infamously dubbed the “House of Horrors,” was the site of numerous illegal activities. Testimonies from former staff members revealed he routinely performed abortions beyond Pennsylvania’s 24-week limit. They alleged that he delivered babies that were still moving, crying, and, shockingly, breathing, often resulting in their spines being cut by Gosnell and his assistants.

Along with three counts of first-degree murder, Gosnell was also convicted for operating a prescription drug trafficking operation. The U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that he pled guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances like oxycodone and alprazolam, and for maintaining a place intended for illegal drug distribution.

Between 2008 and early 2010, Gosnell ramped up from filling hundreds of prescriptions monthly to over 2,300, charging significant fees to his customers. These revelations emerged during a 2010 investigation into drug trafficking that also exposed the disturbing conditions within his clinic, which was described as filthy, with bags containing human remains scattered around.

Gosnell did not take the stand during his trial in 2013. His defense team claimed that no infants were born alive, suggesting that the movements observed were merely post-mortem spasms. The unsettling reality of his practices has left a lasting impact on discussions surrounding abortion and medical ethics.