Picture a trusted nurse in a quiet hospital ward. He saves lives. Or so colleagues think. Niels Högel, Germany’s most prolific serial killer, murdered 85 patients from 2000 to 2005. He injected drugs to stop the heart. Then he “revived” them for praise. Many died. Högel chased thrills. He ignored screams. His crimes shocked Europe. They exposed hospital failures. Searches for “Niels Högel, German nurse killer,” “Niels Högel murders,” and “deadly nurse Högel” surge in 2025. This ties to a new ZDF docuseries on medical cover-ups. It also links to the Oldenburg trials reopening. If you follow true crime like Burke and Hare or John Bunting, Högel’s tale grips tight. It shows evil in white coats. Let’s unpack it step by step. For instance, how did one man kill 85 without notice?
Niels Högel’s Early Life: A “Hero” Nurse with Hidden Darkness
Niels Högel entered the world on December 30, 1976. He was born in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. His dad worked as a nurse. Mom stayed home. Högel grew up in a medical family. He studied nursing in Flensburg. He graduated in 2000. Colleagues saw him as skilled. He joined Oldenburg Hospital. He worked in cardiology.
Högel charmed bosses. He sought praise. He volunteered for crises. However, rage simmered. He craved control. At 24, he started injecting drugs. He used ajmaline. It slowed hearts. He watched chaos. He “saved” patients. Adrenaline rushed. In 2001, he moved to the Delmenhorst Clinic. Suspicion grew. Patients often coded. He shrugged it off. Early victims? Unknown. But 2002 probes hinted at 10 deaths. Högel denied all. He smiled through questions.
His charm hid psychopathy. In 2025 profiles, experts call it “dark triad” traits. Narcissism drove him. He died for glory.
Niels Högel’s Crimes: Inducing Cardiac Arrest for Thrills – 85 Victims
Högel worked nights. He chose calm wards. He injected toxins. Ajmaline or calcium caused arrests. He rushed in. He “revived” some. Others died. He logged “saves.” He hid failures. Spree ran from 2000-2005. 85 confirmed kills. 52 at Oldenburg. 33 at Delmenhorst.
Methods: Sneak attacks. Fake charts. Blame illness. Bodies piled. Families grieved “natural” deaths. In 2025, autopsies confirm more. Högel confessed 100+. He laughed during talks. No remorse. Just ego.
| Victim Details | Location | Date Range | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52 Patients | Oldenburg Hospital | 2000-2003 | Cardiac arrests. Many died during “resuscitation.” |
| 33 Patients | Delmenhorst Clinic | 2003-2005 | Injected during shifts. 29 fatal. |
| Unnamed Elderly | Both Sites | Throughout | “Natural causes” cover-up. Families sued in 2025. |
Total: 85 murders. 300+ harmed. Högel targeted the weak. He picked those near death. Thrill over mercy.
Investigation: From Suspicion to Nationwide Probe – 2005 Arrest
Suspicion brewed in 2004. Deaths spiked. A doctor flagged patterns. Cops probed. Högel admitted “experiments.” At first, he joked. Then he cracked. He confessed to 40 kills. Probe widened.
Task Force: 100 officers. They dug records. They exhumed bodies. Toxins matched. 85 linked. Högel smiled in cuffs. “I wanted to help.” Probe hit 2014. 100+ cases. Hospitals hid logs.
Arrest: June 2005. Högel caught mid-injection. He faced 90 counts. 2025 update: Oldenburg reopens files. Two doctors are charged with a cover-up.
Trial & Sentencing: Life for 85 Murders – No Parole
March 2005: Oldenburg Court. Högel faced 85 murder charges. He smirked. “I saved them.” Prosecutors showed logs. Families testified. “Why my dad?” The judge condemned ego.
Read more: John Bunting: The Snowtown Murders
Verdicts: Guilty on all. Life sentence, March 2015. No parole. Earlier 2008 trial: 7 murders, 7 attempts. 7.5 years. 2011: 6 more murders. Life.
FAQs: Common Questions on Niels Högel, German Nurse Killer
- Who is Niels Högel?
- German nurse. Killed 85 patients. Used drugs to stop the heart for the thrill.
- How did Högel murder?
- Injected toxins. Caused cardiac arrest. “Revived” some. Let others die.
- How many victims?
- 85 confirmed murders. 300+ harmed. From 2000-2005.
- What happened at trial?
- Guilty on 85 counts. Life in 2015. No parole.
- 2025 updates on Högel?
- Delmenhorst trial. Doctors charged. Victim fund expands.
