A former French anaesthetist, branded ‘Doctor Death’ by prosecutors, has been given a life sentence after being convicted of murdering 12 patients by poisoning their intravenous drips.
The Shocking Crimes of a ‘Poisoner’
Frédéric Péchier was found guilty of deliberately contaminating infusion bags at two private clinics in the city of Besançon. The court heard he introduced lethal substances, including potassium, local anaesthetics, adrenaline, and heparin, into the bags, which were then administered to unsuspecting patients.
The fatal contaminations caused catastrophic medical emergencies, with victims suffering either cardiac arrests or severe hemorrhaging. Prosecutors argued that Péchier’s motive was to create crises so he could then step in and ‘show off his resuscitation skills’.
A ‘Murderer’ Who ‘Brings Shame on All Doctors’
During the trial last week, the prosecution delivered a damning characterisation of the 51-year-old doctor. They labelled him a ‘poisoner, a murderer’ and stated he ‘brings shame on all doctors’. In a powerful closing statement, they asserted Péchier was ‘one of the greatest criminals in history’ who had ‘used medicine to kill’.
This stood in stark contrast to Péchier’s own defence. Throughout the proceedings, he maintained his innocence, telling the court, ‘I’m not a poisoner’. His legal team has ten days to lodge an appeal against the life sentence handed down on 18th December 2025.
Lasting Impact and Next Steps
The case, which has sent shockwaves through the French medical community and beyond, highlights a profound breach of trust. The victims, who were undergoing routine surgical procedures, were betrayed in the most fundamental way by the professional tasked with their care.
As a breaking news story, further updates are expected, particularly regarding the appeal process. The life sentence marks the culmination of a lengthy investigation into the unexplained cluster of operating theatre emergencies that initially raised suspicions.
