Pennsylvania Nurse Charged with Multiple Nursing Home Murders Gets Life in Prison
The Pennsylvania nurse who gave high—and in many cases, lethal—doses of insulin to several of her patients has pled guilty to three counts of murder as well as other charges and received a life sentence in prison, says an NBC Philadelphia article.
Initially charged with the deaths of two nursing home patients while injuring a third, former nurse Heather Pressdee, 41, was ultimately found to be involved in the deaths of at least 17 patients ranging from 43 to 104 years of age in nursing homes across four Pennsylvania counties between 2020 and 2023, said prosecutors. Following the original charges against her, subsequent investigations resulted in multiple other charges being brought against her by wrongful death attorneys.
A recent lawsuit brought by a wrongful death attorney was filed in April against Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, and its parent company, Armstrong SNF Operator LLC. The suit charged the home with nine counts of nursing home malpractice for neglecting to prevent the hiring of Pressdee in spite of her dismissals from other homes, for failing to prevent the death of a 90 year-old woman who’d been given an overdose of insulin administered by Pressdee, and for neglecting to report or act on reports related to suspected abuse.
At her hearing in Butler County, Pressdee pled guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and 19 counts of attempted murder, and received three consecutive life sentences, as well as another consecutive term of 380-760 years in prison.
According to prosecutors, Pressdee allegedly administered the high doses of insulin to her patients—including those who were not diabetic—during quiet, low-staffed overnight shifts, in order to avoid the swift hospitalization of her victims. The NBC Philadelphia article said Pressdee’s coworkers had frequently taken issue with the former nurse’s professional conduct and witnessed her showing contempt for her patients and saying disparaging things about them.
Fighting Against Nursing Home Malpractice and Wrongful Death
Attorney Brian P. Murphy dedicates his practice to upholding the safety and rights of residents in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, or New Jersey nursing homes. Your loved one should never have to endure nursing home negligence or abuse that results in injury, illness, or especially wrongful death. Brian Murphy is experienced in taking to task negligent nursing homes in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. As a nursing home malpractice and wrongful death attorney, he holds Philadelphia/PA or NJ nursing homes accountable for all types of nursing home malpractice. If you need to contact a nursing home malpractice and wrongful death attorney, or need guidance in choosing a nursing home, call Brian Murphy today to discuss your legal options.
