Harold Shipman
Harold Shipman murdered patients entrusted to his care by administering lethal injections of diamorphine. He was convicted of 15 patient murders in 2000, while a public inquiry later found that he had killed at least 215 patients.
At a glance
- What happened
- Shipman used his position as a general practitioner to give patients lethal doses of diamorphine, a powerful opioid normally used as a painkiller. He also forged a patient's will. His 15 murder convictions are distinct from the much larger victim total established by the Shipman Inquiry.
- When
- 1970s–1998: period examined by the inquiry. January 31, 2000: convictions. 2002: inquiry reported at least 215 killings. January 13, 2004: death in prison.
- Where
- Hyde, Greater Manchester, and Todmorden, West Yorkshire, England. Shipman died at HMP Wakefield.
- Why / motive
- A single motive covering all the killings is not established here. Forgery of a patient's will was a proven offense, not proof that every murder had a financial motive.
- Outcome
- Shipman received life sentences and died in prison in January 2004. The inquiry's finding of at least 215 victims is separate from his 15 murder convictions.
Who is involved
- Harold Shipman — subject
Sources
- The Guardian — Shipman death, January 13, 2004“Harold Shipman at HMP Wakefield this morning.”
- UK Parliament — Shipman Inquiry debate“He committed those murders by injecting his patients with lethal doses of diamorphine”
- Shipman Inquiry — findings beyond the convictions“In July 2002, I reported that he had killed at least 215 patients.”
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