New 'Harold Shipman' as serial killer doctor 'murders four patients just for the thrill of it'

Medic Johannes M. worked for a nursing work successful Berlin, Germany - and is suspected of giving his aged patients a cocktail of drugs successful a sickening execution spree lasting years

A doc suspected of murdering four of his aged patients for the "thrill of it" whitethorn really beryllium liable for the deaths of astatine slightest eight.

The 40-year-old doctor, named lone arsenic Johannes M., worked for a nursing work successful Berlin, Germany, wherever helium is accused of giving aged patients a cocktail of drugs successful a sickening execution spree which lasted years, prosecutors say. According to section media, helium was archetypal arrested successful August erstwhile constabulary suspected him of manslaughter.

But aft combing done grounds from a grim, ever-growing assemblage count, prosecutors are preparing astatine slightest 4 execution charges. The lawsuit has chilling similarities to that of British GP Harold Shipman, who is believed to person killed hundreds of patients by giving them a lethal dose of drugs.

The erstwhile doc was 1 of the astir prolific serial killers successful modern history, convicted of the murders of 15 women but with an estimated full bodycount of 250. Some 80% of his victims were pistillate OAPS.

Shipman, a mild-mannered Scrabble subordinate and transgression caller fan, was a respected GP successful the tiny municipality of Hyde and his aged pistillate patients were said to "adore" him. But alternatively of treating them, the father-of-four would inject them with a lethal dose of diamorphine. Most of his victims were recovered sitting upright successful a chair, afloat clothed and seemed to person died of earthy causes.

In the lawsuit of the German doctor, his alleged sidesplitting spree is said to person began successful 2022, wherever helium is accused of drugging a 70-year-old pistillate to death, past mounting her location connected occurrence to screen up the killing. Another 70-year-old diligent died astatine location successful January this twelvemonth aft being fixed a lethal operation of drugs, prosecutors say.

Officers judge the doc killed 2 further victims aged 61 and 83. Berlin prosecutor's bureau spokesperson Sebastian Buchner told section media different 4 suspicious deaths were being investigated, but warned the fig could rise. Buchner added they could find nary motive for the killings but for "the thrill of it".

The doc has not fixed immoderate connection to constabulary astir the deaths, section media reports. All the patients had been earnestly sick with Johannes making up portion of a squad providing them palliative attraction successful their ain homes.

A proceedings is expected to statesman adjacent year.