Kristen Gilbert

Kristen Heather Gilbert (born November 13, 1967) is a former nurse and convicted serial killer who was found guilty of murdering four patients and attempting to murder two others at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Early Life and Education

Kristen Gilbert was born Kristen Heather Strickland in Fall River, Massachusetts. She attended Bridgewater State University and later transferred to Greenfield Community College, where she earned her nursing degree. Gilbert was known to be intelligent and ambitious, but also manipulative and deceitful.

Career

Gilbert began her career as a nurse at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northampton, Massachusetts. She was well-regarded by her colleagues for her competence and ability to handle emergencies. However, her career took a dark turn as she began to exhibit a pattern of suspicious behavior.

Crimes

Gilbert's crimes were committed between 1995 and 1996. She was known to inject patients with epinephrine, a heart stimulant, causing them to suffer cardiac arrest. She would then respond to the emergency, often being the first to arrive, which earned her a reputation for being a "code blue" expert.

Investigation and Arrest

Suspicion arose when a significant increase in cardiac arrest deaths was noted during her shifts. An investigation was launched, and Gilbert was arrested in 1996. She was charged with the murders of four patients and the attempted murder of two others.

Trial and Conviction

Gilbert's trial began in 2000. The prosecution presented evidence of her injecting patients with epinephrine and highlighted her presence during the unexplained deaths. The defense argued that the deaths were due to natural causes. However, the jury found her guilty of all charges.

In 2001, Kristen Gilbert was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. She is currently serving her sentence at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas.

Motive

The motive behind Gilbert's actions remains unclear. Some speculate that she enjoyed the thrill of medical emergencies, while others suggest she sought attention and admiration from her colleagues.

Impact

Gilbert's case led to increased scrutiny and changes in hospital protocols to prevent similar incidents. It also raised awareness about the potential for healthcare professionals to commit crimes within medical settings.

Also see

• List of serial killers in the United States
• Medical murder
• Veterans Affairs Medical Center