Reta Mays
Nursing Home Serial Killer
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Clarksburg, West Virginia
TIME PERIOD
July 2017 – June 2018
VICTIMS
7 confirmed
Reta Phyllis Mays, a former nursing assistant at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, is responsible for the murders of at least seven elderly military veterans between July 2017 and June 2018. Mays, who lacked the certification to administer medication, injected her victims with lethal doses of insulin, leading to acute hypoglycemia and subsequent deaths. The investigation, which revealed a pattern of suspicious deaths on Ward 3A where Mays worked, culminated in her arrest on July 14, 2020. On May 11, 2021, she was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences for the murders, along with an additional 20 years for assault with intent to commit murder. Significant evidence included medical records and witness testimonies linking Mays to the administration of insulin to non-insulin-dependent patients.
Investigators and the public speculate that Reta Mays may have been motivated by a desire for control or power over her victims, given her background in military service and corrections. Some believe that her previous experiences in high-stress environments contributed to her actions, while others theorize that she may have been influenced by a psychological condition that led her to target vulnerable individuals. There is also speculation about potential undetected victims, as Mays's employment in a healthcare setting may have allowed her to operate undetected for longer than the confirmed cases.
The Dark Veil of Care: The Case of Reta Mays
In the serene hills of Clarksburg, West Virginia, a sinister narrative unfolded within the walls of the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Medical Center. Reta Phyllis Mays, an unassuming nursing assistant, harbored a deadly secret. Born on June 16, 1975, in Reynoldsville, West Virginia, Mays transitioned from a military veteran with the West Virginia National Guard to a nursing assistant, carrying a façade of dedication that masked a deadly intent. Her story is one of betrayal, hidden behind the guise of a caregiver.
Background
Reta Mays's life seemed ordinary at first glance. She served with the West Virginia National Guard from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2003 to 2004, during which she was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait with the 1092nd Engineer Battalion. After her military service, she worked as a corrections officer from 2005 to 2012 at the North Central Regional Jail in Greenwood, West Virginia. During this time, Mays was embroiled in a lawsuit alleging abuse of an inmate, but the case was dismissed. Mays was also known for her involvement in her local church, Monroe Chapel United Methodist, a small sanctuary in Lost Creek.
Murders and Investigation
In June 2015, Mays began her tenure at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Despite lacking certification or a license, she was trusted with the care of vulnerable patients. By July 2017, Mays was working overnight shifts on Ward 3A, where elderly veterans began experiencing inexplicable hypoglycemic events. The lives of several patients were extinguished by critically low blood sugar levels, a condition they had never been treated for.
Among the victims was Archie Edgell, an 84-year-old Korean War veteran, whose blood sugar plummeted to a life-threatening level. Although hospital staff temporarily stabilized him, he succumbed to a second drastic drop. An autopsy revealed multiple insulin injections. As the hospital grappled with these mysterious deaths, an internal investigation commenced, eventually involving the Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the FBI.
The scale of the tragedy was staggering. Of the 112 patients who died on Ward 3A during Mays's employment, 66 experienced hypoglycemic episodes, and 21 deaths were classified as adverse events. As Mays continued her nightly duties, the investigation intensified over two years. Despite multiple interviews, Mays denied any involvement. However, investigators pieced together a damning case: Mays's internet history revealed a fascination with female serial killers and insulin-related murders, and recorded phone conversations with her jailed husband, Gordon, uncovered her dark sentiments toward patients.
Arrest, Trial, and Conviction
In July 2020, the façade came crashing down. Mays was arrested and charged with the murders of eight veterans, although the charges were later refined to seven counts of second-degree murder and one count of assault with intent to commit murder. The victims ranged from Korean War veterans to those who served in World War II and Vietnam. On July 14, 2020, Mays stood in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, pleading guilty to all charges. Her tears failed to veil the horror of her confession. Claiming to suffer from PTSD, she sought to portray her actions as misguided mercy, claiming she wanted her patients to pass away "gently."
On May 11, 2021, Mays faced the full weight of justice. U.S. District Judge Thomas Kleeh sentenced her to seven consecutive life terms, plus an additional 20 years, all without the possibility of parole. Mays's attempt at an apology resonated hollow as she was ordered to pay restitution to the victims' families and institutions. Judge Kleeh did not mince words, labeling Mays a "monster" hidden in plain sight.
Aftermath and Reflection
In July 2021, Mays was transferred to FCI Aliceville, a low-security federal prison in Alabama. Although Judge Kleeh recommended a facility equipped for mental health treatment, the Bureau of Prisons assigned her to Aliceville instead. The federal government has since settled civil suits with the families of ten victims, offering a semblance of closure to the grieving families.
The story of Reta Mays is a chilling reminder of the evil that can lurk behind a caregiver's smile. Her actions betrayed the trust placed in her by vulnerable veterans who had served their country. The case serves as both a cautionary tale and a profound tragedy, underscoring the critical need for vigilance and accountability in medical care.
Sources
For more details, you can refer to the original article on Wikipedia.
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First Murder
Reta Mays begins murdering elderly veterans by injecting insulin.
Investigation Launched
An internal investigation begins into the suspicious deaths of patients at the hospital.
Mays Fired
Reta Mays is fired from the hospital as the investigation escalates.
Arrest Made
Reta Mays is arrested and charged with the murders of eight veterans.
Guilty Plea
Mays pleads guilty to seven counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Sentencing
Reta Mays is sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences plus 20 years.
Transfer to Prison
Mays is transferred to a low-security federal prison in Alabama.
Reta Phyllis Mays, a former nursing assistant at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, is responsible for the murders of at least seven elderly military veterans between July 2017 and June 2018. Mays, who lacked the certification to administer medication, injected her victims with lethal doses of insulin, leading to acute hypoglycemia and subsequent deaths. The investigation, which revealed a pattern of suspicious deaths on Ward 3A where Mays worked, culminated in her arrest on July 14, 2020. On May 11, 2021, she was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences for the murders, along with an additional 20 years for assault with intent to commit murder. Significant evidence included medical records and witness testimonies linking Mays to the administration of insulin to non-insulin-dependent patients.
Investigators and the public speculate that Reta Mays may have been motivated by a desire for control or power over her victims, given her background in military service and corrections. Some believe that her previous experiences in high-stress environments contributed to her actions, while others theorize that she may have been influenced by a psychological condition that led her to target vulnerable individuals. There is also speculation about potential undetected victims, as Mays's employment in a healthcare setting may have allowed her to operate undetected for longer than the confirmed cases.
The Dark Veil of Care: The Case of Reta Mays
In the serene hills of Clarksburg, West Virginia, a sinister narrative unfolded within the walls of the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Medical Center. Reta Phyllis Mays, an unassuming nursing assistant, harbored a deadly secret. Born on June 16, 1975, in Reynoldsville, West Virginia, Mays transitioned from a military veteran with the West Virginia National Guard to a nursing assistant, carrying a façade of dedication that masked a deadly intent. Her story is one of betrayal, hidden behind the guise of a caregiver.
Background
Reta Mays's life seemed ordinary at first glance. She served with the West Virginia National Guard from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2003 to 2004, during which she was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait with the 1092nd Engineer Battalion. After her military service, she worked as a corrections officer from 2005 to 2012 at the North Central Regional Jail in Greenwood, West Virginia. During this time, Mays was embroiled in a lawsuit alleging abuse of an inmate, but the case was dismissed. Mays was also known for her involvement in her local church, Monroe Chapel United Methodist, a small sanctuary in Lost Creek.
Murders and Investigation
In June 2015, Mays began her tenure at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Despite lacking certification or a license, she was trusted with the care of vulnerable patients. By July 2017, Mays was working overnight shifts on Ward 3A, where elderly veterans began experiencing inexplicable hypoglycemic events. The lives of several patients were extinguished by critically low blood sugar levels, a condition they had never been treated for.
Among the victims was Archie Edgell, an 84-year-old Korean War veteran, whose blood sugar plummeted to a life-threatening level. Although hospital staff temporarily stabilized him, he succumbed to a second drastic drop. An autopsy revealed multiple insulin injections. As the hospital grappled with these mysterious deaths, an internal investigation commenced, eventually involving the Inspector General of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the FBI.
The scale of the tragedy was staggering. Of the 112 patients who died on Ward 3A during Mays's employment, 66 experienced hypoglycemic episodes, and 21 deaths were classified as adverse events. As Mays continued her nightly duties, the investigation intensified over two years. Despite multiple interviews, Mays denied any involvement. However, investigators pieced together a damning case: Mays's internet history revealed a fascination with female serial killers and insulin-related murders, and recorded phone conversations with her jailed husband, Gordon, uncovered her dark sentiments toward patients.
Arrest, Trial, and Conviction
In July 2020, the façade came crashing down. Mays was arrested and charged with the murders of eight veterans, although the charges were later refined to seven counts of second-degree murder and one count of assault with intent to commit murder. The victims ranged from Korean War veterans to those who served in World War II and Vietnam. On July 14, 2020, Mays stood in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, pleading guilty to all charges. Her tears failed to veil the horror of her confession. Claiming to suffer from PTSD, she sought to portray her actions as misguided mercy, claiming she wanted her patients to pass away "gently."
On May 11, 2021, Mays faced the full weight of justice. U.S. District Judge Thomas Kleeh sentenced her to seven consecutive life terms, plus an additional 20 years, all without the possibility of parole. Mays's attempt at an apology resonated hollow as she was ordered to pay restitution to the victims' families and institutions. Judge Kleeh did not mince words, labeling Mays a "monster" hidden in plain sight.
Aftermath and Reflection
In July 2021, Mays was transferred to FCI Aliceville, a low-security federal prison in Alabama. Although Judge Kleeh recommended a facility equipped for mental health treatment, the Bureau of Prisons assigned her to Aliceville instead. The federal government has since settled civil suits with the families of ten victims, offering a semblance of closure to the grieving families.
The story of Reta Mays is a chilling reminder of the evil that can lurk behind a caregiver's smile. Her actions betrayed the trust placed in her by vulnerable veterans who had served their country. The case serves as both a cautionary tale and a profound tragedy, underscoring the critical need for vigilance and accountability in medical care.
Sources
For more details, you can refer to the original article on Wikipedia.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
First Murder
Reta Mays begins murdering elderly veterans by injecting insulin.
Investigation Launched
An internal investigation begins into the suspicious deaths of patients at the hospital.
Mays Fired
Reta Mays is fired from the hospital as the investigation escalates.
Arrest Made
Reta Mays is arrested and charged with the murders of eight veterans.
Guilty Plea
Mays pleads guilty to seven counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Sentencing
Reta Mays is sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences plus 20 years.
Transfer to Prison
Mays is transferred to a low-security federal prison in Alabama.