Harold Shipman
English doctor and serial killer convicted of murdering 15 patients.
via Wikipedia: Unmarked grave · see source
On 31 January 2000, Shipman was convicted of murdering 15 patients under his care and sentenced to life imprisonment with a whole life order.
- field
- General practice medicine
- nationality
- English
Lore & Background
His working-class parents were devout Methodists. He was particularly close to his mother, who died of lung cancer when he was aged 17; her death involved morphine administered at home by a doctor, a method similar to Shipman's later modus operandi.
Reader's Guide
The inquiry revealed that Shipman targeted vulnerable elderly people who trusted him as their doctor, killing them with fatal doses of drugs or by prescribing abnormal amounts. The case highlighted flaws in medical oversight and led to changes in death certification and monitoring of general practitioners.
Did You Know?
- Shipman was known to acquaintances as Fred Shipman.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Harold Shipman?
Harold Frederick Shipman was an English general practitioner who became one of the most prolific serial killers in modern history. He used his medical position to murder patients over roughly three decades before being caught.
What sentence did Harold Shipman receive?
On 31 January 2000, Shipman was found guilty of murdering 15 of his patients and handed a whole life order, meaning he was expected to remain in prison for the rest of his life.
What was Harold Shipman's profession?
Shipman worked as a general practitioner in England, a role that gave him trusted, regular access to vulnerable patients. His medical authority allowed him to carry out his crimes undetected for about three decades.
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