A former Pennsylvania nurse has confessed to trying to kill 19 other patients at various care facilities, according to authorities. Heather Pressdee, 41, was arrested in May on homicide and other charges after being accused of prescribing excessive amounts of insulin to patients, which resulted in the deaths of two patients and the hospitalization of a third.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office announced on Thursday that Pressdee now faces additional charges regarding mistreatment of 19 other patients at five different care facilities between 2020 and this year. The 19 patients were all administered excessive amounts of insulin, regardless of whether they had diabetes or not. Out of the 19 patients, 17 have died under Pressdee’s care.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Pressdee admitted to deliberately harming the patients with insulin. She allegedly administered the insulin during overnight shifts when there was low staffing and the emergencies would not be immediately noticed. The victims ranged in age from 43 to 104, and Pressdee worked at five different rehabilitation centers.
Attorney General Michelle Henry expressed shock and concern over the allegations. She stated, “It is hard to comprehend how a nurse, entrusted to care for her patients, could choose to deliberately and systematically harm them.” She also emphasized the impact on the victims and their families, stating that her office will work tirelessly to hold Pressdee accountable for her actions and protect care-dependent individuals from future harm.
Authorities say Heather Pressdee a former PA nurse confessed to trying to kill 19 people. The nurse, already charged in two homicides, is now being linked to more than a dozen other deaths. ABC’s @ReenaRoy has the details. https://t.co/QgAX7wRgUQ pic.twitter.com/mryJNpaiCM
— Good Morning America (@GMA) November 4, 2023
Pressdee has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted murder, and 19 counts of neglect of a care-dependent person. The alleged crimes took place at five different facilities, including Concordia at Rebecca Residence, Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation (Guardian), Quality Life Services Chicora, Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Pressdee was arraigned on Thursday and has waived her preliminary hearing. She remains in custody without bail at Butler County Prison.
This is not the first time Pressdee has faced charges for her actions. In May, she was charged with two counts of homicide, one count of attempted murder, and multiple counts of neglect and endangerment. These charges were in relation to the deaths of a 55-year-old man and an 83-year-old man in December 2022, and the hospitalization of a 73-year-old man in August 2022.
The investigation into Pressdee began after a family member of one of the victims reported suspicions of improper insulin administration. During questioning, Pressdee allegedly admitted to feeling sorry for the patient’s quality of life and hoping they would pass away in a coma. She also reportedly told a fellow nurse that one of the patients “would be better off dead.”
The Attorney General’s Office is urging anyone with information about Pressdee or her actions at any of the five facilities to come forward. They also stated that they will continue to work diligently to bring justice to the victims and their families.
In the wake of this news, families of patients at the care facilities in question must be reeling with shock and fear. The authorities’ swift actions to hold Pressdee accountable and prevent further harm is crucial in restoring trust and ensuring the safety of care-dependent individuals.