Terrifying True Stories: 5 Doctors Who Became Monsters
In the annals of history, the notion of evil doctors conjures images of fictional characters like Frankenstein or Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Yet, the realm of real-life harbors tales far more frightening than fiction. From murderous intentions to shocking malpractices, here are the stories of five doctors whose actions left an indelible mark on the dark side of medical history.
The Poisonous Plotter: Morris Bolber
In the 1930s, Dr. Morris Bolber became entangled in the nefarious "Philadelphia Poison Ring." Bolber dispensed lethal potions, resulting in an estimated 30-50 deaths. His arrest in 1939 unveiled a chilling tale of insurance scams and cold-blooded murder.
The Fasting Fatale: Linda Burfield Hazzard
Linda Burfield Hazzard: A chilling portrait of the "Starvation Heights" mastermind, whose deadly fasting treatments masked a tale of greed and deception.
Masquerading as a medical practitioner, Linda Burfield Hazzard championed a deadly fasting regimen. Her "Starvation Heights" sanitarium facilitated more than 40 deaths, revealing a grim story of manipulation. Convicted of manslaughter, Hazzard's legacy remains a harrowing reminder of the perils of pseudo-science.
The Greedy Practitioner: John Bodkin Adams
Dr. Adams, a seemingly compassionate general practitioner, harbored a sinister interest in his elderly patients' wills. His 1956 investigation hinted at a disturbing pattern of potential murders for inheritance, although he evaded murder charges.
America's Architect of Horror: H.H. Holmes
H.H. Holmes built a house of horrors hidden behind a facade of medicine.
Dubbed America's first serial killer, pharmacist H.H. Holmes' "Murder Castle" was a labyrinth of death traps. His ghastly exploits during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition involved murder for profit and body disposal in a macabre fashion. Holmes' gruesome legacy is a testament to the depths of human depravity.
The Surgical Menace: Jayant Patel
Dr. Jayant Patel's career, spanning from New York to Australia, was marked by malpractice and fatal surgeries. His 2003 directorship at Bundaberg Base Hospital ended amid a flurry of media exposure about his dangerous operations, leading to manslaughter and fraud charges. Patel's case underscores the catastrophic impact of medical negligence.
Reference: Top 14 Most Evil Doctors of the Last Two Centuries. Physician's Weekly
