Kristen Gilbert, once a respected nurse, harbored a sinister secret. Dubbed the “Angel of Death,” she stands as one of the most disturbing figures in medical history. Her case delves into betrayal, manipulation, and the misuse of trust in life-and-death situations. This article unravels her life and the horrifying crimes that followed.
Early Life and Personality
Kristen Heather Strickland was born in Fall River, Massachusetts on November 13, 1967. She was the eldest daughter of Richard and Claudia Strickland. Her early life seemed typical—she excelled academically, babysat for extra income, and even joined the math club. However, her behavior began to shift during her teenage years. Kristen developed a habit of compulsive lying and manipulative tendencies, even claiming to be related to the infamous accused murderer Lizzie Borden.
Kristen graduated high school at 16 with honors and enrolled in Bridgewater State College. During this period, she displayed troubling behavior, including verbal and physical abuse toward her boyfriends and fake suicide attempts to manipulate those around her.
A Career in Nursing
In 1989, Kristen Gilbert graduated with a nursing degree and began working at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leeds, Massachusetts. Initially, she earned admiration for her calm demeanor in emergencies and her organizational skills. However, a dark pattern began to emerge.
Colleagues noticed an unusual increase in cardiac arrests when Kristen was on duty. Unaware of her actions, they jokingly nicknamed her the “Angel of Death,” attributing the deaths to her perceived competence rather than foul play.
Kristen Gilbert’s Personal Life and Affairs
In 1988, Kristen married Glenn Gilbert and had two children. However, their marriage deteriorated after Kristen began an affair with James Perrault, a Gulf War veteran and hospital security guard. Their relationship fueled her desire for control and admiration, leading to a series of calculated murders to showcase her skills during emergencies.
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Murders and Suspicious Activities
Kristen’s crimes began to unravel in 1995 when an unusually high number of patients died under her care. One of the first suspected cases was 66-year-old Stanley Jagodowski, who suffered cardiac arrest shortly after Kristen flushed his IV line. His death, like others, was initially attributed to natural causes due to his medical history.
She used epinephrine, a drug that can induce cardiac arrest in high doses, to orchestrate medical emergencies. Kristen’s actions often went unnoticed, as the symptoms mimicked natural causes.
Investigation and Arrest
By February 1996, suspicions among her colleagues grew. Three nurses reported the high number of deaths on Kristen’s shifts, prompting an investigation. It was discovered that deaths tripled when Kristen was on duty compared to other shifts.
In March 1996, Kristen’s relationship with James Perrault was strained under the weight of the investigation. She confessed to James over the phone, saying, “I did it. I killed those guys.” Her confession, combined with the missing vials of epinephrine, strengthened the case against her.
Kristen attempted to derail the investigation by calling in a bomb threat to the VA hospital. This led to her arrest in September 1996 on federal charges for the threat.
Trial and Conviction
In 2000, Kristen Gilbert stood trial for the murders of four veterans and the attempted murders of two others. Prosecutors alleged she committed these crimes to gain attention and impress her lover. Evidence revealed that 88 out of 135 vials of epinephrine were unaccounted for during her shifts.
The defense argued a lack of direct evidence and suggested the deaths resulted from natural causes. However, the statistical improbability of the deaths occurring solely during her shifts was astronomical.
In 2001, Kristen was convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, one count of second-degree murder, and two counts of attempted murder. She received four consecutive life sentences without parole and an additional 20 years.
Legacy of the Angel of Death
Kristen Gilbert’s case remains one of the most chilling examples of medical professionals abusing their position of trust. During her tenure, 350 deaths occurred, though the exact number of her victims remains unknown. Her actions highlight the devastating consequences of unchecked power within healthcare settings.
Conclusion
Kristen Gilbert’s story is a haunting reminder of how appearances can be deceiving. As a nurse, she was entrusted with saving lives, but instead, she manipulated her position to take them. Her crimes serve as a stark warning about the importance of vigilance in safeguarding patients from those who exploit their roles for personal gain.
