Niels Hoegel: The Hospital Killer Who Made 200 Victims Look Like a Bad Halloween Party
The 41‑year‑old German nurse, Niels Hoegel, is about to stand in court again, this time facing a jury of 126 bereaved family members, journalists, and a few broken hearts. The crime? He allegedly turned his caregiving job into a murderous playground, injecting patients with overdoses so badly that they’d have to be resuscitated first, then die for the second time. The number of victims? Around 200—right between 200 and 300, like a spooky family gathering that nobody asked for.
How a Nurse Became One of the Most Infamous Murderers Since WWII
- First Arrest (2005) – During an illegal medication administration in Delmenhorst, Hoegel was sentenced to seven years for attempted murder.
- Second Trial (2014‑15) – More victims, more charges. A 15‑year prison sentence followed, and he finally admitted to over 30 additional killings.
- New Trial (Oct 30) – 126 relatives, 80 journalists, and the guilt‑filled courtroom in Oldenburg face the case that will probably run its way to May.
The Mysterious “Cardiac Arrest” Routine
Hoegel’s method?
- Inject a high dose of medication that induces a cardiac arrest.
- Call the ventilators, pull the oxygen, and try to bring them back to life.
- Fail. Lose. Repeat.
Why? Victims ranged from 34 to 96, chosen at random—true no‑selection laziness. Apparently, vanity (to flaunt his “life‑saving” skills) and boredom (because he had to find a new way to shake things up) were the driving forces.
Family Pain, Hospital Headlines, and the Battle of the Exhumations
Prosecutors describe the investigation as “out of the ordinary.” Its scope? 134 exhumations, and the count of victims is never exact because many were cremated.
Ms Petra Klein, from the victim’s aid group Weisser Ring, hopes the verdict will finally give the families some closure. “They came to us after the police knocked on their door, telling them how many may have been his victims,” she says. The sheer shock has “been incredible,” for Ms Klein. Psychological support has been offered to those families.
Hoegel and Other Hospital Killers: A Quick Comparison
Hoegel vs. Stephan Letter (“Angel of Death”)
- Hoegel: 200 victims, random ages, no “pity” motive.
- Letter: 29 victims, life‑sentenced, “pity” driven.
Psychological Profile in a Nutshell
Hoegel’s doctor concluded he suffered from a severe narcissistic disorder combined with a crippling fear of his own death—classic “I’ll die but still think I’m responsible for others” drama.
Conclusion: The Court Will Stay for the Full Show
As the prosecution plans to keep the trial going until at least May, the suspense will be higher than a stalled elevator in a skyscraper ruin. The expectation? A verdict that might finally wrap up this tragic, bizarre tale—though the haunting legacy will linger in the memories of those 200 lost lives. And for the families, it’s about more than justice. It’s a moment to say goodbye—no more brain‑like “miracle” attempts, just a final peace.
