A former French anaesthetist has been sentenced to life imprisonment for deliberately poisoning 30 patients, resulting in 12 deaths, in a shocking medical crime that rocked the eastern French city of Besançon.

Life Sentence for “Doctor Death”

Frédéric Péchier, who worked at two clinics in Besançon between 2008 and 2017, was found guilty of contaminating intravenous infusion bags with lethal substances that caused cardiac arrests or severe internal hemorrhaging in patients.

During the trial, prosecutors described Péchier as a “poisoner and murderer”, accusing him of turning the clinic into a “graveyard”.

“You are Doctor Death, a poisoner, a murderer. You bring shame on all doctors,” prosecutors said during closing arguments.

The court ruled that Péchier’s actions were premeditated, marking him as one of France’s most notorious cases of medical homicide in recent history.

Investigation and Trial

Péchier was first placed under investigation eight years ago after suspicions arose regarding the sudden and unexplained deaths and illnesses of multiple patients. Authorities launched a detailed inquiry into practices at the clinics, which uncovered a pattern of intentional contamination of infusion bags.

The trial examined incidents spanning nearly a decade, from 2008 to 2017, involving patients who were admitted for routine procedures but suffered unexpected cardiac events or massive bleeding.

Despite overwhelming evidence, Péchier denied all wrongdoing throughout the trial. His defence has ten days to file an appeal against the life sentence.

Public Reaction and Medical Community

The case has sent shockwaves through the French medical community, raising questions about patient safety and hospital oversight. Many have expressed horror that a trusted medical professional could deliberately harm patients under his care.

French media widely reported the trial, labeling Péchier as “Doctor Death”, highlighting the scale and audacity of the crimes.

Legal Details

Péchier faces a minimum of 22 years in prison before being eligible for parole. Authorities confirmed that all safety protocols at the affected clinics have been reviewed and strengthened to prevent any recurrence of such crimes.

This case adds to a small but highly concerning number of instances worldwide where medical professionals have deliberately harmed patients, emphasizing the need for rigorous oversight in healthcare settings.