Nurse Accused of Killing Two Patients Allegedly Stated They Were "Better Off Dead"

A Pennsylvania registered nurse is accused of killing two patients and attempted murder of a third by administering lethal doses of insulin deliberately to end their suffering, according to authorities. Heather Pressdee of Natrona Heights worked at Quality Life Services, a skilled nursing facility from May 23, 2022, until Nov. 28, 2022. During that time period, prosecutors claim she gave three patients too much insulin resulting in the death of two people, a criminal complaint states.

In the complaint, Pressdee, 40, "stated that she felt bad for their quality of life and she had hoped that they would just slip into a coma and pass away," with regards to two  55-year-old J.B. and 83-year-old J.C. Both died under her care. 

Pressdee allegedly gave a high dose of insulin to a third patient who survived . The complaint states that the former RN, allegedly claimed that 73-year-old E.A., who was having a hard time fighting COVID, asked her to kill him before she injected him in the stomach with "one syringe, approximately 100 units, of long-acting insulin." Authorities said in the complaint, "She stated that he began showing symptoms and that she did not address the symptoms, and the oncoming shift sent him to the hospital." 

PEOPLE reports that after authorities spoke to Pressdee's colleagues, it was revealed that she allegedly believed the patient's were "better off." The outlet states, "According to a nurse at the facility, Pressdee allegedly told her that one of the patients who later died, identified in the complaint as J.B., "would be better off dead."

Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement posted on Twitter that Pressdee was arrested and charged with two counts of homicide, one count of attempted murder and "other related charges." PEOPLE reports, "It's unclear if Pressdee has entered a plea to the charges or retained an attorney to speak on her behalf. She is being held in Butler County Prison without bail and is expected back in court on June 6, court records show."

In a separate statement, Henry said Pressdee acted deliberately. "The allegations in this case outline the callous abuse of incredibly vulnerable patients by a professional nurse," Attorney General Henry said. "As the charges indicate, these were deliberate and intentional acts perpetrated by a care-giver who was trusted to care for these victims. Be assured, my office will zealously pursue justice for the families of those who were killed, as well as the third victim who is fortunate to have survived."

E.A., the sole-survivor, was roommates with J.B. during his near-fatal incident on Aug. 31, 2022, the complaint noted. He was found seizing in his bed even though he had no known history of seizures. His blood glucose level dropped from 73 mg/dL to 11 mg/dL. Of all three known victims, only J.C. was diabetic, and the complaint stated him as "non-insulin dependent."