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Berlin doctor’s ‘killing’ spree: Four elderly patients die after their homes set on fire

Berlin doctor’s ‘killing’ spree: Four elderly patients die after their homes set on fire

Germany police detain doctor over killing of four patients

German authorities arrested a doctor in Berlin who allegedly killed four elderly patients inseparate incidents and then set their homes on fire to cover up the evidence.

The 39-year-old doctor currently remains in custody ahead of a potential indictment. Police and prosecutors didn’t reveal his name to the public under Germany’s privacy rules. The doctor was a part of a nursing service's palliative care team.

The doctor allegedly executed the killings in the months of June and July. He allegedly tried killing an 87-year-old woman on June 11. Firefighters tried to revive her but the woman succumbed to injuries in hospital.

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In the second case, the doctor allegedly killed a 76-year-old woman on June 8. Police said the man then set her home on fire but it went out on its own. After realising this, he contacted a relative of the victim and informed them that the woman could be in danger.

"When he realized this, he allegedly informed a relative of the woman and claimed that he was standing in front of her flat and that nobody was answering his doorbell," police said.

The two more murders took place on July 15 and 24, resulting in the deaths of a 72-year-old and 94-year-old patient, respectively.

Investigators couldn’t ascertain what motivated the doctor to kill the patients and how he carried out the killings.

As of now, he is being detained on suspicion of manslaughter as well as one count of arson and three of attempted arson.

(With inputs from agencies)