Over a span of 16 years, Charles Cullen, working as a nurse at various medical facilities, carried out a hidden spree of patient killings by administering lethal doses of drugs through their intravenous lines.
It is believed that Cullen might have caused the deaths of around 400 individuals, ranking him as one of the most prolific modern serial killers.
Cullen faced adversities early in life, having lost his father as an infant, his mother in a car accident during high school, and two siblings shortly thereafter. He also dedicated years to caring for a brother who eventually succumbed to cancer.
After abandoning high school, Cullen briefly served in the U.S. Navy before pursuing nursing education at the Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing in Montclair, New Jersey, graduating in 1987. Following this, he married and had two daughters.
In early 1993, Cullen’s wife, Adrienne Taub, filed for divorce citing fear for her safety due to his unsettling behavior, including alleged tampering with drinks and morbid inquiries at a funeral home. She expressed concerns about his access to dangerous medications through his profession.
Taub’s complaints detailed disturbing incidents at home, such as mistreatment of family pets, destructive behavior towards their daughters, and erratic actions that escalated post-divorce.
Despite Taub seeking legal protection through a restraining order, it was denied on the grounds of Cullen displaying odd behavior rather than explicit threats of violence.
Following the divorce, Cullen’s life spiraled downward as he grappled with alcoholism, financial troubles, and custody battles over his daughters.
Struggling with mental health issues, Cullen made multiple suicide attempts, including a dramatic incident involving a hibachi grill in his bathtub that was thwarted by a vigilant neighbor who alerted authorities.
In 2002, suspicions arose at St. Luke’s Hospital regarding Cullen’s activities, leading to an investigation after a nurse raised concerns about a significant number of patient deaths possibly linked to him. However, the probe stalled for several months without further action.
Cullen’s arrest finally came in December 2003 when anomalies in patient deaths at Somerset Medical Center pointed to his involvement. Dismissed after an internal inquiry revealed irregular lab results associated with his patients, Cullen was placed under surveillance.
During monitoring, a nurse from Somerset Medical Center wore a recording device and engaged Cullen in a conversation at a pub, confronting him about suspicious deaths on his watch.
Following his arrest, Cullen confessed to numerous murders, detailing the extent of his crimes at various hospitals. He accepted a plea deal to avoid the death penalty by admitting his actions.
Cullen employed various drugs like digoxin, insulin, and others to carry out his lethal schemes, targeting vulnerable patients for his malevolent intentions.
Despite confessing to a specific number of murders in court, Cullen’s total victim count remains uncertain, with the possibility of the actual figure being much higher, potentially reaching up to 400 individuals.
Claiming to act out of mercy to end suffering, Cullen’s motives were questioned by experts who emphasized the rationalizations perpetrators use to justify their actions.
Notably, not all of Cullen’s victims were terminally ill, with some being young individuals undergoing routine medical procedures.
As the daughter of one victim remarked after Cullen’s sentencing, his portrayal as an angel of mercy was shattered in the eyes of those affected by his heinous deeds.