 |
Niels HoegelGerman nurse who killed more than 100 patients
Date of Birth: 01.01.1969
Country:  Germany |
Content:
- The Infamous German Nurse: Niels Högel
- Oldenburg Trial
- Investigation into the Dark Deeds
- Gruesome Details of the Crimes
- Exhumations and Public Outrage
- Prior Conviction and Timeline
- Additional Confessions and Ongoing Investigations
- A Narcissistic Motive and Random Victims
- Psychological Profile of a Killer
The Infamous German Nurse: Niels Högel
Serial Killer ConfessionIn a shocking confession, Niels Högel, a German nurse, admitted to murdering over 100 patients through "intentional overdosing." At the start of his trial, the 41-year-old Högel confessed to the largest serial killing in post-war Germany. He is accused of deliberately administering massive doses of medication to victims, whom he then attempted to revive at the last moment.
Oldenburg Trial
As the trial commenced in Oldenburg, Northern Germany, presiding judge Sebastian Bührmann questioned the defendant about the validity of the charges against him. Högel responded affirmatively, stating, "I admit that's how it was." The courtroom, filled with grieving family members of the victims, fell silent.
Investigation into the Dark Deeds
Bührmann declared the primary goal of the trial to be uncovering the extent of Högel's actions, which had been allowed to continue unabated for years in two German hospitals. "We will do everything we can to shed light on the truth," Bührmann said. "This is like a house with dark rooms. We want to fill the darkness with light."
Gruesome Details of the Crimes
After a moment of silence for the victims, the bearded, overweight Högel listened impassively as prosecutor Daniela Schiereck-Bohlmann read out the names of the deceased patients and the charges against the defendant. Prosecutors allege that at least 36 people fell victim to Högel at the Oldenburg hospital where he worked. An additional 64 patients were killed in nearby Delmenhorst between 2000 and 2005.
Exhumations and Public Outrage
Over 130 bodies of patients who died during Högel's shifts have been exhumed. Christian Marbach, one of over a hundred co-plaintiffs, expressed widespread outrage over the scandal, blaming authorities for allowing Högel to continue killing for so long. "They had everything they needed to stop him," said Marbach, whose grandfather was one of the murdered patients. "You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes."
Prior Conviction and Timeline
Högel was first arrested in 2005 for administering unauthorized drugs to a patient in Delmenhorst. He was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2008 for attempted murder. The second trial, held from 2014 to 2015, was initiated after families of Högel's suspected victims accused prosecutors of "dragging their feet." The defendant was found guilty of killing and attempting to kill five people and sentenced to the maximum penalty of 15 years behind bars.
Additional Confessions and Ongoing Investigations
However, Högel confessed to 30 more murders in Delmenhorst to his psychiatrist, prompting the reopening of "suspicious death" cases in Oldenburg. Investigators believe the number of Högel's victims could exceed 200, but fear they may never know the full extent of his crimes, as the bodies of many potential victims were cremated.
A Narcissistic Motive and Random Victims
Prosecutors allege that Högel's actions were driven by vanity, a desire to showcase his skills, and a need to "alleviate boredom." The victims appear to have been chosen at random, ranging in age from 34 to 96 years old.
Psychological Profile of a Killer
According to a psychologist who assessed Högel, killing was never the primary goal for the nurse. Resuscitating a patient provided him with satisfaction, but only for a few days before he craved the thrill again. "It was like a drug for him," the psychologist explained.
