PA Nurse Accused Of Killing 2 Patients Killed Others: PA AG

HARRISBURG, PA — A Western Pennsylvania nurse already accused of killing two patients and trying to kill another via insulin overdoses killed two others and attempted to kill 17 more, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said Thursday.

Henry announced Thursday that Heather Pressdee, 41, of Harrison, was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted murder and 19 counts of neglect of a care-dependent person.

Henry said Pressdee is charged with first-degree murder in the cases where physical evidence is available to support the cause of death. Attempted murder is charged in the cases where the victims either survived the excessive dosage of insulin, or the cause of death could not be determined.

The nurse allegedly administered the lethal doses to numerous patients at various care facilities beginning in 2020. The victims ranged in age from 43 to 104. Pressdee is accused of typically administering the insulin during overnight shifts when staffing was low.

“The allegations against Ms. Pressdee are disturbing," Henry said in a statement. "It is hard to comprehend how a nurse, trusted to care for her patients, could choose to deliberately and systematically harm them. The damage done to the victims and their loved ones cannot be overstated."

The alleged crimes happened while Pressdee was employed as a registered nurse at the following facilities: Concordia at Rebecca Residence; Belair Healthcare and Rehabilitation (Guardian); Quality Life Services Chicora; Premier Armstrong Rehabilitation and Nursing Center; and Sunnyview Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

She is being held without bail in the Butler County Prison.

Editor’s note: a previous version of this story had an overstatement in the headline which has been clarified. We apologize for any confusion.