Crisis in Care: Nurse charged with 1st Degree Murder, Attempted Murder and Neglect
Heather Pressdee, a nurse residing in Butler County, Pennsylvania, who was previously facing charges related to the administration of lethal doses of insulin to patients, is now confronted with further charges linked to the mistreatment of an additional 19 patients.
As per the Pennsylvania Attorney General, Michelle Henry, this 41-year-old nurse is alleged to have administered fatal quantities of insulin to three patients, commencing in 2020. Disturbingly, a subsequent investigation has uncovered that 19 more patients suffered mistreatment while under her care across five different care facilities.
On November 2, 2023, Pressdee was formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted murder, and 19 counts of neglect of a care-dependent person. The first-degree murder charges apply to cases where there is physical evidence supporting the cause of death, while attempted murder charges are filed in instances where victims either survived excessive insulin dosage or the cause of death could not be definitively determined.
The accusations against Pressdee include the administration of excessive insulin doses to patients, including those who were not diabetic. Shockingly, the toll of lives lost under her care reaches a total of 17 patients.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Henry expressed her deep concern, stating, “The allegations against Ms. Pressdee are disturbing. It is hard to comprehend how a nurse, entrusted with the care of her patients, could deliberately and systematically harm them. The damage inflicted on the victims and their loved ones cannot be overstated. Every individual within a medical or care facility should feel safe and well-cared for. My office is committed to holding the defendant accountable for her crimes and safeguarding care-dependent Pennsylvanians from future harm.”
The victims’ ages ranged from 43 to 104 years old, and the total count of patients subjected to mistreatment stands at 22. Pressdee typically administered the insulin during overnight shifts when staffing levels were lower, and the emergencies did not immediately necessitate hospitalization.
Currently, Heather Pressdee is incarcerated at the Butler County Prison without the possibility of bail.
