A German court has sentenced a 41-year-old palliative care doctor to life imprisonment for murdering 15 patients over a three-year period.
The doctor, identified only as Johannes M. under Germany’s privacy laws, was found guilty of killing 12 women and three men between September 2021 and July 2024.
The victims, aged between 25 and 94, were seriously ill but were not believed to be close to death.
Prosecutors said the doctor secretly administered lethal drugs to patients during home visits without their consent.
He was also accused of setting fires at some of the victims’ homes in an attempt to destroy evidence.
One of the incidents occurred in July 2024 when he allegedly killed two patients on the same day before attempting to set fire to one victim’s home.
During the trial, Johannes M. admitted to killing 12 of the victims, claiming he believed he was ending their suffering. He expressed regret for his actions.
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However, investigators believe the number of victims could be much higher and are currently examining 76 additional deaths linked to the doctor.
The Berlin court also ordered preventive detention after his prison sentence if he is still considered a danger to society. In addition, he was permanently banned from practising medicine.
Family members of the victims rejected his claims, insisting their loved ones wanted to continue living despite their illnesses.
The case is being described as one of the largest suspected serial murder investigations in Germany’s history.