A Pennsylvania nurse, Heather Pressdee, is facing serious allegations of administering lethal doses of insulin to numerous patients, resulting in the death of 17 individuals. Among the victims was a 43-year-old man with brittle diabetes, who, according to a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by his family, was routinely subjected to verbal abuse and bullying by Pressdee.
The lawsuit alleges that Pressdee administered a fatal dose of insulin to Nicholas Cymbol at Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Butler, Pennsylvania, in May last year. The suit details the events leading up to Cymbol’s death, following the suspicious demise of another patient in April. Cymbol, who was well-liked by the Sunnyview staff, was often the target of Pressdee’s insults and derogatory remarks, the lawsuit claims.
The court documents reveal that Pressdee’s disdain for Cymbol was well-known among the Sunnyview staff. She allegedly believed that individuals with a quality of life like Cymbol’s did not deserve to live. Pressdee is also accused of preventing other nurses from providing food or water to Cymbol on several occasions.
The lawsuit further alleges that Pressdee predicted Cymbol’s death days before it occurred, and despite staff complaints to the administration, no action was taken. Even after concerns about Pressdee’s behavior were raised, she was allowed to continue her role as unit manager.
Rob Peirce, the managing partner of Robert Peirce & Associates, expressed his firm’s determination to uncover how Pressdee was allowed to continue working despite her alleged abusive behavior. Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has yet to comment on the allegations.
Pressdee is currently facing charges for intentionally administering excessive doses of insulin to 22 patients between 2020 and her arrest in May, as per the state attorney general’s office. Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry has accused her of poisoning 19 patients, 17 of whom died under her care. Some of these patients were diabetic, while others were not.
Pressdee’s charges include murder of the first and third degree, criminal homicide, criminal attempt — murder in the first degree, aggravated assault, neglect of a care-dependent person, and recklessly endangering another person. She is currently held without bail at Butler County Prison, with a court hearing scheduled for May 2.
Pressdee has reportedly admitted to some of the incidents, stating that she felt sorry for the victims’ quality of life and hoped they would pass away peacefully. Her attorney, Phil DiLucente, has not yet responded to requests for comment.