Former Pennsylvania nurse Heather Pressdee, 41, who was arrested in May for the murder of two patients, has now confessed to attempting to kill more than a dozen other individuals, according to authorities. This shocking revelation has sent shockwaves through the community, raising questions about the security of patients in nursing homes.
Pressdee, a resident of Natrona Heights, is alleged to have admitted to trying to end the lives of 19 additional patients by administering toxic doses of insulin at five different nursing homes. The patients in question ranged in age from 43 to 104, and some of them were diabetic and required insulin, while others were not. According to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, a total of 17 patients under her care tragically lost their lives due to her actions.
The accusations against Pressdee are gravely serious, as she now faces two counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted murder, and 19 counts of neglect of a care-dependent person over a five-year period. Investigators revealed that Pressdee claimed to have administered excessive insulin doses because she felt sorry for the quality of life these patients experienced and hoped they would pass away peacefully in a coma.
Pressdee’s modus operandi was particularly sinister. She often worked the night shift, where staffing was at its lowest, and would take measures to ensure her victims passed away before the shift change. If she suspected that a patient might survive after receiving an excessive insulin dose, she allegedly administered a second dose or even injected air to guarantee their demise.
Disturbingly, investigators also found that Pressdee had an obsession with murder and death, as evidenced by text messages to her mother where she mentioned “pillow therapy” for a resident. She even made threats to kill individuals unrelated to her nursing duties.
Furthermore, staff at the Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation facility raised concerns about an unusual pattern of patient deaths during Pressdee’s shifts, but an internal investigation failed to find evidence supporting their claims. Even though five patients passed away under Pressdee’s care in just ten months, no action was taken at the time.
Pressdee’s nursing license was suspended in July 2023 amid the ongoing criminal investigation. Attorney General Michelle Henry expressed the difficulty in comprehending how a nurse, entrusted with patient care, could deliberately and systematically harm those under her care. The impact on the victims and their loved ones cannot be overstated.
Heather Pressdee was arraigned on these harrowing charges and is currently being held without bail at Butler County Prison.
