Saturday, October 19, 2019

Cornelia V., Suspected Serial Killer Nurse – Germany, 2008


Cornelia V., a specialist in anesthetics and intensive care, was known to take care of seemingly hopeless cases sacrificially, and even encouraged the seriously ill so that they regained hope. But there was an eerie quality to the nurse’s demeanor as well. Dr. Adolf Novotny, Senior Physician at Tuttlingen District Hospital, noted that in times of crisis, when it came to life and death, she behaved differently from the others: "She was then upset, enthusiastic and full of verve, flourished literally."

Dr. Novotny became suspicious of Cornelia V., due to the large number of inexplicable emergencies, including deaths that occurred on her watch. In each of the suspect emergencies, Cornelia V was either assigned to care for these patients or at least was in close proximity. And in most cases, it was she who triggered an emergency call, started the re-breathing and ultimately saved the men and women.

One day in April 2004 the 78-year-old, retiree Eckard D., not critically ill, has been admitted to the hospital by his family doctor to monitor his cardiac arrhythmias. For safety he was sent to the intensive care unit. In room six, he is connected to a monitor by Nurse Cornelia. He has already had a venous catheter placed in front of him. Yet he experienced an emergency attack which left him paralyzed.

It took years of investigation for prosecutors to decide to charge Cornelia V. 2008 she was tried on multiple charges. The trial ended after 16 days with an unexpected plea deal. Cornelia V., who has always denied all accusations, conceded the attack on the retiree Eckard D.

Her attorney announced to the court that: "My client admits that she committed the crime as stated in the indictment." The prosecutor required an affirmation from the defendant herself, thus Cornelia V. stated for the record: "I fully agree with this statement [of guilt] and it is my own." She was given a suspended two-year prison sentence for dangerous bodily injury. The charges in the other cases were temporarily closed.

Cornelia had been terminated from her post at Tuttlingen District Hospital in 2006, but she was able to find employment at another clinic which let her go (when they learned of her history?). Nevertheless she still found work as a private nurse. She was again arrested in October 2010. She remained in jail until November 4, 2011 when she was freed after the failure of the prosecution to prove their case against her.

[Robert St. Estephe, Oct. 19, 2019]

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CHRONOLOGY

Feb. 2004 – When a 79-year-old died after a minor gall bladder operation. after inexplicably heavy bleeding. Heparin used?
Apr. 2008 – Eckard D. (78), cardiac arrhythmias, not seriously ill, paralyzed. Succinyl used?
2004 – 90-year-old patient had died from minor surgery after inexplicably heavy bleeding.
Date? – Heinz-Dieter M., "Respiratory arrest due to complete muscle relaxation".
Date? – Franz W., "Acute sudden respiratory arrest".
Date? – Pia W., "Cardiovascular arrest".
Date? – Josef G., "respiratory arrest".
Date? – Thomas S., "respiratory arrest".
Date? – Manfred K. (53), attacked heavy bleeding following hip surgery; survived, Heparin found in his blood.
2006 – terminated at Tuttlinger Klinik.
2008 – employed by another clinic, terminated.
Dec. 2008 – confession (later recanted).
Dec. 2008 – sentenced by the District Court Rottweil after a trial lasting several weeks to a suspended sentence of two years. Because of dangerous bodily injury.
Oct. 2010 – arrested while working as a private nurse. Jailed until Nov. 4, 2011.
May 2011 – trial at Rottweil for murder, based on investigation that was initiated during her 2008 trial.
Nov. 4, 2011 – acquitted; insufficient evidence. Released from jail.

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A fairly thorough case overview of the case up to 2009:
[Bruno Schrep, “She Kills People,” Spiegel (Germany), Apr. 11, 2009]

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For more cases, see Sicko Nurses

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