Italian nurse arrested after being suspected of killing 38 ‘annoying’ patients

Italian police are investigating a nurse suspected of killing at least 38 of her patients because they or their relatives annoyed her. Daniela Poggiali, 42, was initially charged with murder over the unexpected death of an elderly patient. Rosa Calderoni had been admitted for a routine illness, but a post-mortem examination found high levels of potassium in her bloodstream. But prosecutors believe Poggiali, from Lugo in northeastern Italy, killed more patients she found hard to treat or those with difficult relatives. Police are reviewing 37 other deaths, with 10 of those described as “very suspicious”.

There are the other 38 cases of suspicious deaths and of these, ten are very suspicious. Investigations are continuing, but there are insurmountable difficulties.

Chief prosecutor Alessandro Mancini

A prosecutor on the case, Rossella Materia, claimed the suspect is a sadist “who draws pleasure in provoking the death of the patients in her care”. Since Poggiali’s arrest, a colleague described her as a “cold person who was always eager to work”. Another co-worker has made further allegations about the nurse, claiming she gave strong laxatives to patients as her shift ended to make work more difficult for the nurses taking over. Poggiali denied wrongdoing when questioned by prosecutors - and maintained she was the victim of a conspiracy orchestrated by her enemies.

Europe Daniela Poggiali