A 44-year-old nurse in Würselen, western Germany, has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of murdering ten patients and attempting to kill 27 others, the Aachen Regional Court confirmed on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.
Court documents show the nurse administered excessive doses of painkillers and sedatives, including morphine and midazolam, without medical justification.
Prosecutors said his primary aim was to reduce his workload during night shifts, often showing irritation toward patients who required extra care and demonstrating a lack of empathy in his duties.
The convicted nurse, who completed his training in 2007 and had worked at the Würselen palliative care clinic since 2020, displayed no remorse for his actions.
Authorities are reviewing medical records and exhuming bodies to determine whether additional patients may have been affected.
The court cited a “particular severity of guilt,” a legal classification in Germany that greatly reduces the likelihood of early release, even after the minimum term of 15 years for life sentences.
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The case draws comparisons with previous medical serial-killer cases in Germany, including nurse Niels Högel, who was convicted in 2019 of killing 85 patients.
Experts say the verdict highlights the importance of close monitoring of hospital staff, proper workload management, and psychological support in high-risk care units.
“Prosecutors noted he worked without dedication and showed no concern for patients requiring additional attention,” reports said.
The verdict is expected to renew scrutiny of hospital staffing and patient safety practices in Germany and beyond.