Process for alleged care murderers: hospital under fire!

In the Aachen process, a nurse is on trial for murder of nine patients. Working conditions and criticism of colleagues come up.
In the Aachen process, a nurse is on trial for murder of nine patients. Working conditions and criticism of colleagues come up. (Symbolbild/ANAG)

Process for alleged care murderers: hospital under fire!

Ulrich S. from Aachen faces serious allegations in front of the Aachen district court. He is accused of murdering nine patients between December 2023 and May 2024 during his night services on the palliative care unit of the Rhein-Maas Clinic. In addition, he is charged 34 times attempted murder of other patients. This reports T-Online .

Ulrich S. vehemently rejects all allegations. However, he also criticizes working conditions in the clinic. The caregiver had been employed in the facility since October 2022. During the reading of his memory protocol, he describes, among other things, an incident in which a patient fell heavily, which led to an outbreak of the doctor on duty. Such experiences give the impression of a stressful work environment, in which time pressure and excessive demands rule what Ulrich S.

conflicts and insufficient working conditions

In his statements, Ulrich S. also criticizes his colleagues. He expresses resentment about their lack of professionalism and reports on conflicts within the team. This is how he describes the transfer of a colleague who took place on the basis of disputes. He particularly mentions a colleague, Marvin B., whose "black humor" and controversial views of older people met with indifference to Ulrich S.. Marvin B. even described certain medication as "zombie medication". These deep insights into the internal tensions and the psychological stress on the nursing staff could be understood as a further context for the serious allegations.

The process now also captivates the relatives of the alleged victims. A total of twelve relatives were admitted as co-plaintiffs, including a son of a patient who was treated in the Rhein-Maas Clinic in May 2024. This over 80-year-old initially survived the treatment, but later died in a hospice full of fear and in a state of loss of trust towards the nursing staff. Attorney Christoph Huppertz reports that the man in the hospice was trying to jump out of the window so as not to expose himself to the supposed abuse by nurses.

Investigations and possible further processes

Due to the allegations, the Rhein-Maas Clinic filed a criminal complaint against Ulrich S. on May 27, 2024 and pronounced termination without notice. As a result, extensive investigations were initiated and the “River” murder commission was founded. This examined hundreds of patient files and carried out four exhination of deceased patients. There have even appeared reports that the accused's cell phone was listened to.

The process is not only legal in nature, but also psychologically significant for those who are bereaved. You have the opportunity to edit your grief, which plays an important role in this shocking case. Two experts, including a palliative doctor, were named for the process and are intended to provide important insights into the allegations. The judgment is expected in June 2025. In the event of a conviction, Ulrich S. threatens a lifelong prison sentence with preventive detention. Additional acts could lead to another trial before the Aachen district court should result in new knowledge.

The situation around the plaintiffs and their relatives skill lightly on the challenges in the German health system that have existed for years, which are characterized by overload and shortage of skilled workers. An analysis of the current conditions shows that the workload during the Covid 19 pandemic has increased significantly in care. The need to evaluate and improve the psychological and physical burden on nursing staff is becoming increasingly pressing to avoid future crisis situations, as they have been observed in recent times, PMC .

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