Police prosecuting the homicide case against the palliative care physician
In the Berlin Regional Court, a trial is underway for Johannes M., a 40-year-old palliative care doctor, accused of murdering 15 patients between September 2021 and July 2024. The victims, aged between 25 and 94, include a 25-year-old woman (the youngest) and an 87-year-old woman (the oldest).
The defendant, who was primarily active in the Berlin-Neukölln area, is said to have administered a lethal mixture of various medications to his patients without medical indication or their knowledge and consent. The prosecution claims he exploited patients' trust and acted as a "master of life and death," arranging home visits with the intention to kill.
Evidence against the defendant includes suspicions raised by a co-worker, multiple suspicious deaths associated with fires, and forensic findings linking Johannes M. to the deaths by lethal injections. Authorities have conducted autopsies and investigations to confirm the causes of death and gather further proof.
The trial began in July 2025 and is expected to involve many witnesses and family members of the deceased, with around 150 people possibly testifying before its planned conclusion in January 2026. The defendant has so far remained silent about the allegations.
The defendant and the witness worked together in a palliative team since January 2024. The witness described the defendant as initially very accommodating, polite, helpful, and eager, and praised and loved by the entire team. However, the witness stated that an unusually high number of the defendant's patients had died in a short period.
After the incident, the care areas were divided, and a third palliative doctor joined the team. The defendant's last message was on July 24, 2024, stating a patient's place was on fire. The defendant is also suspected of setting some victims' homes on fire to conceal his crimes.
The trial began with a witness, the defendant's former boss, taking the stand. So far, 71 cases have initial suspicion, and bodies have been exhumed and examined by forensic medicine in 15 cases. The trial will continue on August 13.
This case is part of broader investigations into doctors suspected of unlawful killings in Germany but is distinct from other cases elsewhere in the country. The Berlin Public Prosecutor's Office charges the defendant with murder by deceit and out of low motives. The defendant is known for carrying a large backpack full of medications.
The trial is notable for the scale of alleged murders committed by a doctor in palliative care under the veneer of providing end-of-life assistance.
- The medical community and health-and-wellness sector are closely following the trial of Johannes M., a palliative care doctor accused of murdering his patients, as it raises serious concerns about the trust placed in healthcare professionals.
- The general news landscape has been dominated by the unfolding Berlin court case, involving a palliative care doctor, in which he is accused of exploiting his patients' trust, committing crimes against them, and administering lethal doses, highlighting the need for heightened medical-condition awareness and safety protocols.
- The crime-and-justice system is weighing the testimony of witnesses, family members, and forensic evidence, as the trial for the palliative care doctor who stands accused of committing 15 murders continues, revealing a chilling narrative of deception, manipulation, and disregard for human life in the realm of health and wellness.
