A former French anaesthetist known as 'Doctor Death' has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 22 years, for the murder of 12 patients.
A Trail of Poison in Operating Theatres
Frederic Pechier, 53, was convicted of a total of 30 poisonings that took place between 2008 and 2017 at two private clinics in the eastern French city of Besancon. The court found he deliberately contaminated patients' anaesthesia bags with lethal substances, inducing cardiac arrests or haemorrhages during surgeries that were otherwise considered low-risk.
Police launched an investigation after a series of unexplained emergencies occurred in operating theatres. The victims ranged in age from a four-year-old child, who suffered two cardiac arrests during a tonsil operation in 2016, to an 89-year-old.
Motive: Conflict and a 'Thirst for Power'
During the three-month trial, prosecutors argued that Pechier's motive was to create crises that would psychologically harm colleagues with whom he was in conflict, thereby feeding his own "thirst for power". The substances he allegedly used included potassium, adrenaline, local anaesthetics, and anticoagulants.
"You turned this clinic into a graveyard," prosecutors told him during closing arguments. The court identified Pechier as the "common denominator" in the string of incidents.
Maintained Innocence and Planned Appeal
Throughout the proceedings, Frederic Pechier vehemently denied all charges. While he eventually conceded that a poisoner had been at work in the clinics, he insisted it was not him. As jury deliberations began, he told the court, "I will always say it: I am not a poisoner."
His family broke down in emotion as the verdict was read on Thursday, 18 December 2025, but Pechier himself appeared unmoved. His lawyer confirmed immediately after the sentencing that he will appeal the conviction.
The case has drawn parallels with other shocking crimes by medical professionals in France, including the earlier conviction of paedophile surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, who admitted abusing nearly 300 victims.
