400 Victims Of Charles Cullen: Who Are They?
It’s speculated that Cullen could have killed up to 400 patients in the 16 years that Charles Cullen worked as a nurse throughout various hospitals in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Over that time, he slipped deadly overdoses of drugs into his patients’ IVs. The number of victims he murdered made him become one of the world’s most prolific serial killers.
Nearly 20 years after his arrest in 2003, Cullen's merciless murders are still being talked about. Here's everything we know about the real Charles Cullen and the victims that were affected by his twisted actions.
Cullen revealed that his killings were acts of mercy. "I thought that people weren't suffering anymore, so in a sense, I thought I was helping." Despite his claims, some of his victims were not near death or suffering. 60-year-old Elenor Stoecker, an asthma patient, was recovering and in no pain when Cullen administered a fatal digoxin overdose. College student Michael Strenko was recovering from a routine spleen removal surgery when he was killed.
Cullen's mental state has also been called into question, leaving many to wonder if that played a role in his decision to embark on such a devastating journey. He attempted suicide for the first time after his mother died when he was 17. After dropping out of high school, Cullen joined the Navy, where he was reportedly bullied and attempted suicide again, resulting in his discharge from the military. Cullen attempted suicide over 20 times and was frequently admitted to psychiatric hospitals before his arrest.
When it came to his motives, Cullen said that he killed his victims out of mercy as he wanted to "alleviate the pain and suffering" of his mostly elderly and infirm victims.
Nearly 20 years after his arrest in 2003, Cullen's merciless murders are still being talked about. Here's everything we know about the real Charles Cullen and the victims that were affected by his twisted actions.
1. Why did Charles Cullen kill the victims?
Source: sportskeeda
Cullen revealed that his killings were acts of mercy. "I thought that people weren't suffering anymore, so in a sense, I thought I was helping." Despite his claims, some of his victims were not near death or suffering. 60-year-old Elenor Stoecker, an asthma patient, was recovering and in no pain when Cullen administered a fatal digoxin overdose. College student Michael Strenko was recovering from a routine spleen removal surgery when he was killed.
Cullen's mental state has also been called into question, leaving many to wonder if that played a role in his decision to embark on such a devastating journey. He attempted suicide for the first time after his mother died when he was 17. After dropping out of high school, Cullen joined the Navy, where he was reportedly bullied and attempted suicide again, resulting in his discharge from the military. Cullen attempted suicide over 20 times and was frequently admitted to psychiatric hospitals before his arrest.
2. How did Charles Cullen kill his victims?
Source: New York Daily News
When it came to his motives, Cullen said that he killed his victims out of mercy as he wanted to "alleviate the pain and suffering" of his mostly elderly and infirm victims.
3. The victims of Charles Cullen
Source: Daily Mail
- June 11, 1988: John W. Yengo, Sr., 72
- March 9, 1991: Lucy Vigilone Mugavero, 90
- July 23, 1991: Mary Natoli, 85
- September 1, 1991: Helen Dean, 91
- January 21, 1996: LeRoy Sinn, 71
- May 31, 1996: Earl Young, 76
- June 9, 1996: Catherine A. Dext, 49
- June 24, 1996: Frank Mazzacco, 66
- July 10, 1996: Jesse Eichlin, 81
- December 31, 1998: Ottomar A. Schramm, 78
- August 31, 1999: Matthew Mattern, 22
- February 2000: Stella Danielczyk, 73 (attempted murder)
- February 8, 2001: John Gallagher, 90 (attempted murder)
- June 22, 2001: Irene Krampf, 79
- November 8, 2001: William Park, 72
- December 28, 2001: Paul Galgon, 72 (attempted murder)
- January 9, 2002: Samuel Spangler, 80
- May 5, 2002: Daniel George, 82
- June 2, 2002: Edward O'Toole, 76
- February 12, 2003: Eleanor Stoecker, 60
- February 23, 2003: Joyce E. Mangini, 74
- February 23, 2003: Giacomino J. Toto, 89
- March 11, 2003: John J. Shanagher, 83
- April 6, 2003: Dorthea K. Hoagland, 80
- May 5, 2003: Melvin T. Simcoe, 66
- May 15, 2003: Michael T. Strenko, 21
- June 18, 2003: Philip Gregor, 48 (attempted murder)
- June 28, 2003: Reverend Florian J. Gall, 68
- June 29, 2003: Jin Kyung Han, 40 (attempted murder)
- July 13, 2003: Pasquale M. Napolitano, 80
- August 11, 2003: Christopher B. Hardgrove, 38
- August 27, 2003: Frances Agoada, 83 (attempted murder)
- September 20, 2003: Krishnakant Upadhyay, 70
- September 23, 2003: James R. Strickland, 83
- October 21, 2003: Edward P. Zizik, 73
Share this article
Advertisement