Nurse in Landshut: Six years in prison after fatal insulin administration!

Nurse in Landshut: Six years in prison after fatal insulin administration!

A tragic case from a retirement home has caused a stir in the last few days: A 36-year-old carer was sentenced to six years and six months in prison by the Landshut regional court. He is responsible for the death of a 90-year-old woman and the attempted murder of two other senior citizens by giving them insulin without medical indication. This is reported by the Passauer Neue Presse.

The crimes took place between April 2023 and January 2024 in a facility in the Freising district that mainly cares for people with dementia. The public prosecutor accused the defendant of murder and grievous bodily harm; Ultimately, however, he was only convicted of bodily harm resulting in death. The judge, Ralph Reiter, made it clear that it was not a case of a serial killer, but that the defendant struggled with an autistic disorder that prevented him from recognizing the seriousness of his actions, such as that South German newspaper reported.

Insight into the background

In his defense, the defendant stated that he administered insulin to calm the seniors because he was overwhelmed in stressful situations. Significantly, after administering insulin, he himself called the emergency doctor. Despite the dramatic circumstances, one of the seniors, who actually suffered from diabetes, was saved, while the other, who did not have diabetes, died of pneumonia in the hospital. The psychological expert confirmed that the defendant's ability to cope with stress was severely limited, adding to the tragedy of this case. He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and given a five-year professional ban.

It is interesting that the defendant had struggled with language problems and difficulties in social contact since childhood and was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder in 2017. The nurse was employed at the facility in question in 2020 and was often the only specialist there to look after over 70 people. The presiding judge described the choice of profession as a mistake. This raises questions about quality and staff shortages in the care industry.

Current crime situation in Germany

The case also sheds light on the general crime situation in the country. According to the 2024 police crime statistics, there was a decrease of 1.7% to around 5.84 million crimes in Germany. While these statistics show a decline in certain areas, numbers are rising in others, particularly in crimes that affect people's sense of security. Crimes against life, such as murder or manslaughter, account for only 0.1% of registered cases. The Statista shows that the highest crime rates can be found in the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

In conclusion, this case not only involves shocking individual tragedies, but also raises larger questions about quality of care and criminal responsibility. The investigation has not yet been completed, the verdict is not final, and it remains to be seen how the legal and social consequences will develop.