Registered Nurse in Western Pennsylvania Charged with Homicide Over Insulin Overdoses

Heather Pressdee faces multiple charges including homicide, attempted murder, and neglect of a care-dependent person.

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Registered Nurse in Western Pennsylvania Charged with Homicide Over Insulin Overdoses

A registered nurse from Natrona Heights, Western Pennsylvania, has been charged with multiple counts of homicide, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and neglect of a care-dependent person. Heather Pressdee, 40, is accused of administering lethal doses of insulin, leading to the death of two patients and the hospitalization of a third.

The charges were announced by Attorney General Michelle Henry, who expressed her deep concern over the alleged abuse of vulnerable patients by a professional nurse. The incidents reportedly took place at Quality Life Services, a skilled nursing facility in Chicora, where Pressdee was employed.


Related: RaDonda Vaught Sentenced to Three Years Probation


The victims, a 55-year-old man and an 83-year-old man, tragically lost their lives due to the alleged insulin overdoses. A third victim, a 73-year-old man, survived following emergency hospitalization. Interestingly, two of the three victims were not diabetic, raising further questions about the necessity of the insulin doses.

Pressdee was taken into custody at her home and is currently being held at Butler County Prison without bail. The investigators have determined that the victims were under Pressdee's care when they received the overdoses of insulin that led to medical emergencies and, in two cases, death.

The two fatalities occurred on December 4, 2022, and December 25, 2022. The surviving victim was administered a potentially lethal dose of insulin on August 31, 2022.

Attorney General's Office Seeks Tips from Public

The Attorney General's office has urged anyone with concerns about the care their loved ones received involving Pressdee to contact their tipline. The investigation is being conducted by the Office of Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Section and Bureau of Narcotics Investigation.

The charges against Pressdee are accusations at this stage, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case continues to unfold, shedding light on the serious consequences of medical malpractice in the healthcare industry.

"As the charges indicate, these were deliberate and intentional acts perpetrated by a caregiver who was trusted to care for these victims. Be assured, my office will zealously pursue justice for the families of those who were killed, as well as the third victim who is fortunate to have survived,” stated Attorney General Michelle Henry.

This news was originally released by the Pennsylvania Attorney General News & Media.

(Editorial Team / Admin)

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futur0_nurs

23 Posts

What I don't understand is why go through all of those years of school to try to help people, only to turn into a murderer?

What gets someone to do a total 180°? Were they always this way? Substance abuse? etc.

This is truly heartbreaking. This is happening way too much, IMO. Hope the families get justice.

Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN. Has 43 years experience.

EGADS! I do not understand how some professionally trained individual could even THINK she might get away with this, especially giving a non-diabetic a shot, or shots, of insulin. Did she not realize there were autopsies that would expose her actions? So, not only was she exceedingly cruel, she was dumb. Glad she got caught.

Specializes in School Nursing. Has 38 years experience.
futur0_nurs said:

What I don't understand is why go through all of those years of school to try to help people, only to turn into a murderer?

What gets someone to do a total 180°? Were they always this way? Substance abuse? etc.

I'm thinking more mental health issues.