Efren Saldivar
Healthcare Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Glendale, California
TIME PERIOD
1988-1998
VICTIMS
6 confirmed
Efren Saldivar, an American serial killer, operated as a respiratory therapist at Adventist Health Glendale in California from 1988 until his apprehension on March 13, 1998. During his employment, he murdered patients by administering paralytic drugs, specifically pancuronium, leading to respiratory and cardiac arrest, primarily targeting those who were unconscious or near death. Following his confession to 50 murders, which he later retracted, investigators exhumed 20 bodies of patients who died during his shifts, discovering lethal concentrations of pancuronium in six cases, with medical records indicating the drug was not prescribed. On March 12, 2002, Saldivar pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and is currently serving six consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole at California State Prison, Corcoran.
Efren Saldivar is believed to have killed between 6 and over 200 patients, with theories suggesting he targeted those who were already close to death to avoid detection. Some speculate that his choice of victims and the timing of his shifts contributed to the difficulty in linking him to the increased mortality rates in the hospital. Investigators and the public have expressed concerns that more victims may have gone unaccounted for due to the nature of his crimes and the lack of oversight during night shifts.
The Dark Acts of Efren Saldivar: A Tale of an Angel of Death
Early Life and Career
Efren Saldivar was born on September 30, 1969, in Brownsville, Texas. His journey into the dark corridors of crime began after he graduated from the College of Medical and Dental Careers in North Hollywood, California, in 1988. With credentials in hand, Saldivar embarked on a career as a respiratory therapist at the Glendale Adventist Medical Center, now known as Adventist Health Glendale, in Glendale, California. Here, he worked the night shift—a time when the hospital was sparsely staffed, providing the perfect cover for his malevolent intentions.
The Murders
Saldivar's tenure at the hospital was marked by a sinister pattern that would only come to light years later. He preyed on vulnerable patients, those who were unconscious and close to death, ensuring his actions would go unnoticed. His method was chillingly efficient: he administered paralytic drugs, which induced respiratory and cardiac arrest. Among the drugs found in his locker were morphine and suxamethonium chloride, along with fresh and used syringes. However, it was pancuronium (Pavulon), a drug used to halt a patient's breathing for ventilation procedures, that played a pivotal role in several murders.
Saldivar's methodical selection of victims and his strategic timing ensured that his crimes did not result in a noticeable spike in patient deaths during his shifts. This lack of pattern initially stymied investigators, who struggled to correlate the hospital's mortality rates with Saldivar's work hours.
Investigation and Confession
On March 13, 1998, Saldivar's employment came to an abrupt end. Soon after, he made a startling confession—admitting to the murder of 50 patients, a statement he would later retract. In the pursuit of justice, police were determined to find irrefutable evidence. They exhumed the remains of twenty patients who had died during Saldivar's shifts and had been buried rather than cremated. They sought traces of Pavulon, a drug that remains detectable long after death, unlike succinylcholine chloride and morphine, which degrade rapidly.
The results were damning: six of the exhumed bodies contained lethal levels of Pavulon, a drug that had not been prescribed to them. This discovery was enough to cement Saldivar's guilt.
Legal Proceedings and Imprisonment
On March 12, 2002, at the age of 32, Efren Saldivar stood before the court and pleaded guilty to six counts of murder. The court sentenced him to seven consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. Today, he serves his time at California State Prison, Corcoran.
The True Scale of the Crimes
The full extent of Saldivar's crimes remains shrouded in mystery. In his initial confession in 1998, Saldivar claimed responsibility for actively murdering up to 50 patients and indirectly contributing to the deaths of between 100 and 200 individuals. He later admitted to killing at least 60 patients by 1994, losing count as he continued his deadly spree for three additional years. Sergeant John McKillop of the Glendale Police Department spearheaded the investigation, with full support from Adventist Health Glendale. Statistical analysis suggested the death toll could reach as high as 200, but due to the cremation of many bodies and the limitations of forensic evidence, this remains speculative.
Known Victims
The confirmed victims of Saldivar's heinous acts include Jose Alfaro, Salbi Asatryan (whose family received a $60,000 settlement from the hospital), Myrtle Brower, Balbino Castro, Luina Schidlowski, and Eleanora Schlegel. Jean Coyle, remarkably, survived an attempt on her life.
Conclusion
Efren Saldivar's tale is a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk within the walls of places meant for healing. His cunning and calculated approach allowed him to evade detection for a decade, marking him as one of America's most notorious serial killers.
Sources
- All about Efren Saldivar by Katherine Ramsland, at Crimelibrary.com
- "Serial killer true crime library - Effren Saldivar"
- Lieberman, Paul (April 18, 2002). "Hospital 'Angel of Death' Gets Life Without Parole". Los Angeles Times.
- "California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) - CDCR"
- Werner, Erica (March 13, 2002). "Former hospital worker pleads guilty in 'angel of death' case". Napa Valley Register.
- Lieberman, Paul (March 13, 2002). "'Chilling' Postscript to Saldivar Case Revealed". Los Angeles Times.
- "Jean Coyle, 65, Survived Killings". Sun-Sentinel. December 17, 2003.
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Saldivar Begins Work
Efren Saldivar starts working as a respiratory therapist at Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
First Murders Occur
Saldivar begins murdering patients by injecting them with paralytic drugs.
Employment Terminated
Saldivar's employment is ended after suspicions arise regarding patient deaths.
Confession to Murders
Saldivar confesses to killing 50 patients, a confession he later retracts.
Bodies Exhumed
Police exhume 20 bodies of patients who died during Saldivar's shifts for evidence.
Guilty Plea
Saldivar pleads guilty to six counts of murder and receives seven life sentences.
Investigation Concludes
Investigation indicates Saldivar may have killed between 100 and 200 patients.
Efren Saldivar, an American serial killer, operated as a respiratory therapist at Adventist Health Glendale in California from 1988 until his apprehension on March 13, 1998. During his employment, he murdered patients by administering paralytic drugs, specifically pancuronium, leading to respiratory and cardiac arrest, primarily targeting those who were unconscious or near death. Following his confession to 50 murders, which he later retracted, investigators exhumed 20 bodies of patients who died during his shifts, discovering lethal concentrations of pancuronium in six cases, with medical records indicating the drug was not prescribed. On March 12, 2002, Saldivar pleaded guilty to six counts of murder and is currently serving six consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole at California State Prison, Corcoran.
Efren Saldivar is believed to have killed between 6 and over 200 patients, with theories suggesting he targeted those who were already close to death to avoid detection. Some speculate that his choice of victims and the timing of his shifts contributed to the difficulty in linking him to the increased mortality rates in the hospital. Investigators and the public have expressed concerns that more victims may have gone unaccounted for due to the nature of his crimes and the lack of oversight during night shifts.
The Dark Acts of Efren Saldivar: A Tale of an Angel of Death
Early Life and Career
Efren Saldivar was born on September 30, 1969, in Brownsville, Texas. His journey into the dark corridors of crime began after he graduated from the College of Medical and Dental Careers in North Hollywood, California, in 1988. With credentials in hand, Saldivar embarked on a career as a respiratory therapist at the Glendale Adventist Medical Center, now known as Adventist Health Glendale, in Glendale, California. Here, he worked the night shift—a time when the hospital was sparsely staffed, providing the perfect cover for his malevolent intentions.
The Murders
Saldivar's tenure at the hospital was marked by a sinister pattern that would only come to light years later. He preyed on vulnerable patients, those who were unconscious and close to death, ensuring his actions would go unnoticed. His method was chillingly efficient: he administered paralytic drugs, which induced respiratory and cardiac arrest. Among the drugs found in his locker were morphine and suxamethonium chloride, along with fresh and used syringes. However, it was pancuronium (Pavulon), a drug used to halt a patient's breathing for ventilation procedures, that played a pivotal role in several murders.
Saldivar's methodical selection of victims and his strategic timing ensured that his crimes did not result in a noticeable spike in patient deaths during his shifts. This lack of pattern initially stymied investigators, who struggled to correlate the hospital's mortality rates with Saldivar's work hours.
Investigation and Confession
On March 13, 1998, Saldivar's employment came to an abrupt end. Soon after, he made a startling confession—admitting to the murder of 50 patients, a statement he would later retract. In the pursuit of justice, police were determined to find irrefutable evidence. They exhumed the remains of twenty patients who had died during Saldivar's shifts and had been buried rather than cremated. They sought traces of Pavulon, a drug that remains detectable long after death, unlike succinylcholine chloride and morphine, which degrade rapidly.
The results were damning: six of the exhumed bodies contained lethal levels of Pavulon, a drug that had not been prescribed to them. This discovery was enough to cement Saldivar's guilt.
Legal Proceedings and Imprisonment
On March 12, 2002, at the age of 32, Efren Saldivar stood before the court and pleaded guilty to six counts of murder. The court sentenced him to seven consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. Today, he serves his time at California State Prison, Corcoran.
The True Scale of the Crimes
The full extent of Saldivar's crimes remains shrouded in mystery. In his initial confession in 1998, Saldivar claimed responsibility for actively murdering up to 50 patients and indirectly contributing to the deaths of between 100 and 200 individuals. He later admitted to killing at least 60 patients by 1994, losing count as he continued his deadly spree for three additional years. Sergeant John McKillop of the Glendale Police Department spearheaded the investigation, with full support from Adventist Health Glendale. Statistical analysis suggested the death toll could reach as high as 200, but due to the cremation of many bodies and the limitations of forensic evidence, this remains speculative.
Known Victims
The confirmed victims of Saldivar's heinous acts include Jose Alfaro, Salbi Asatryan (whose family received a $60,000 settlement from the hospital), Myrtle Brower, Balbino Castro, Luina Schidlowski, and Eleanora Schlegel. Jean Coyle, remarkably, survived an attempt on her life.
Conclusion
Efren Saldivar's tale is a haunting reminder of the darkness that can lurk within the walls of places meant for healing. His cunning and calculated approach allowed him to evade detection for a decade, marking him as one of America's most notorious serial killers.
Sources
- All about Efren Saldivar by Katherine Ramsland, at Crimelibrary.com
- "Serial killer true crime library - Effren Saldivar"
- Lieberman, Paul (April 18, 2002). "Hospital 'Angel of Death' Gets Life Without Parole". Los Angeles Times.
- "California Incarcerated Records & Information Search (CIRIS) - CDCR"
- Werner, Erica (March 13, 2002). "Former hospital worker pleads guilty in 'angel of death' case". Napa Valley Register.
- Lieberman, Paul (March 13, 2002). "'Chilling' Postscript to Saldivar Case Revealed". Los Angeles Times.
- "Jean Coyle, 65, Survived Killings". Sun-Sentinel. December 17, 2003.
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Saldivar Begins Work
Efren Saldivar starts working as a respiratory therapist at Glendale Adventist Medical Center.
First Murders Occur
Saldivar begins murdering patients by injecting them with paralytic drugs.
Employment Terminated
Saldivar's employment is ended after suspicions arise regarding patient deaths.
Confession to Murders
Saldivar confesses to killing 50 patients, a confession he later retracts.
Bodies Exhumed
Police exhume 20 bodies of patients who died during Saldivar's shifts for evidence.
Guilty Plea
Saldivar pleads guilty to six counts of murder and receives seven life sentences.
Investigation Concludes
Investigation indicates Saldivar may have killed between 100 and 200 patients.