Monday, July 20, 2026

‘I killed my patients to save them from suffering,’ says doctor who murdered 15 people

He admitted before the court that he killed his patients to save them from “suffering and infirmity”.

• July 9, 2026
Image used to illustrate the story

A palliative care doctor has been sentenced to prison in Germany for killing 15 patients.

During the sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Sylvia Busch said the conviction for 15 murders could reveal other crimes the doctor had committed.

The palliative care doctor, simply identified as Johannes M, 41, was found guilty of murdering his patients, 12 women and three men.

A court in Berlin found Dr Johannes guilty of murdering 12 women and 3 men between September 2021 and July 2024.

During his trial last month, the doctor confessed to having “killed people”.

He admitted before the court that he killed his patients to save them from “suffering and infirmity”.

The doctor added, “Throughout it all, I thought this was the best thing for everyone.”

Prosecutors are now investigating other cases involving the doctor, noting that he injected his patients with lethal sedatives and a combination of various medicines without their consent.

After killing his patients, he often set fires to cover his tracks. Prosecutors said he killed two patients in a single day in July 2024.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang

States

Mutfwang hails Tinubu for approving dualisation of Plateau-Taraba road

Mr Mutfwang particularly thanked Mr Yilwatda for his strategic engagement and commitment to the development of Plateau State at all times.

Peter Obi

NationWide

Obi thanks God @65, donates ₦10 million to rural hospital in Anambra community

Mr Obi expressed gratitude to God and renewed commitment to the service of humanity.

Triumphant Spain

Heading 3

Spain lift 2026 World Cup after beating Messi’s Argentina

The defeat meant that Lionel Messi and his Argentine teammates failed to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles in 64 years.

Map of Kano State

States

Fire service rescues man trapped under collapsed Kano wall

The PRO said that the victim was rescued alive and conveyed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano State.

Alake of Egbaland endorses PDP candidate Adebutu

Heading 1

Alake of Egbaland endorses PDP candidate Adebutu for 2027 Ogun governorship race

Mr Adebutu accused successive administrations of denying local governments the financial independence needed to drive development.