Frédéric Péchier, a former anesthetist in Besançon, eastern France, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after being found guilty of deliberately poisoning 30 patients, causing the deaths of 12.
The court ruled that Péchier tampered with infusion bags, introducing substances that triggered cardiac arrests and internal bleeding. His victims ranged in age from a four-year-old child, who suffered two cardiac arrests during a routine tonsillectomy in 2016, to an 89-year-old patient.
Prosecutors denounced Péchier as “Doctor Death,” saying, “You bring disgrace to all medical professionals. You have turned this clinic into a graveyard.”
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Investigations began eight years ago after suspicions arose regarding poisoning incidents at two Besançon clinics between 2008 and 2017. His first confirmed victim, Sandra Simard, 36, experienced sudden cardiac arrest during spinal surgery. Tests later revealed her infusion bags contained potassium levels 100 times higher than normal.
During the 15-week trial, Péchier occasionally acknowledged that some patients who fell ill or died may have been poisoned but denied intent. “I am not a poisoner… I have always adhered to the Hippocratic oath,” he maintained.
Péchier, who remained free throughout the trial, must now serve a minimum of 22 years. He has 10 days to file an appeal, which could trigger a second trial within a year.
