Former nurse Heather Pressdee pleaded guilty to killing three patients and attempting to kill 19 others at skilled nursing facilities in Pennsylvania. She was sentenced to life in prison, with three consecutive life sentences for the murders and 380 to 760 years for the attempted murders. Pressdee used her position of trust to poison patients who depended on her for care, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry. Pressdee pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty.
Pressdee was charged with intentionally administering lethal and potentially lethal doses of medication to patients at five different care facilities across Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, and Westmoreland counties. She injected insulin into patients between 2020 and 2023. Pressdee was initially charged in May 2023 after two men died and a third was hospitalized. She has been incarcerated since her May arrest. In the criminal complaint, she admitted to harming and intending to kill the 19 patients, whose ages ranged from 43 to 104. Pressdee would often administer insulin during night shift hours while working the medicine cart.
Pressdee took steps to ensure her victims would die before shift change to avoid her scheme being discovered through medical testing. The victims’ relatives gave impact statements in Butler County Court, expressing pain and anguish at learning their loved ones’ deaths were not natural, but caused by a criminal act. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry emphasized that the guilty plea and life sentence will not bring back the lives lost but will ensure Pressdee never has the opportunity to harm others. Pressdee’s attorney, Phillip DiLucente, mentioned that Pressdee pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty.
The former nurse’s actions shocked the community and raised concerns about patient safety in skilled nursing facilities. Pressdee’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough background checks and monitoring of healthcare professionals who interact with vulnerable populations. The case also highlights the impact of a healthcare professional abusing their position of trust and committing acts of harm against patients who rely on them for care. The guilty plea and life sentence signal accountability for Pressdee’s actions and justice for the victims and their families.
The case serves as a warning about the potential dangers posed by individuals who abuse their positions of authority and exploit vulnerable individuals in their care for personal gain or malicious intent. It underscores the need for increased oversight and vigilance in healthcare settings to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Pressdee’s sentencing sends a clear message that such actions will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Overall, the case highlights the complexities and challenges of ensuring patient safety and protection in healthcare settings and the importance of measures to prevent such tragedies from happening again.
