According to an investigator of the Brazilian Health Ministry, the number of deaths caused by her may cross 300 making her the worst serial killer in human history. Currently an English doctor, Harold Shipman, who killed at least 215 patients, holds the top spot of serial killers.
On Sunday, Dr. Mario Lobato, the chief investigator assigned to the case by Brazil’s Health Ministry, said on Globo TV, “We already have more than 20 cases established, and there are nearly 300 more that we are looking into.”
Prosecutors on the case say De Souza’s motive was to free up the hospital beds, and she and her medical team conducted killings by administering muscle relaxing drugs to patients and then reducing their oxygen supply. The inevitable results were deaths due to asphyxia.
Wiretaps of Dr. De Souza’s conversations released to Brazil’s media shows her attitude for ICU patients. She says in one place, “I want to clear the intensive care unit. It’s making me itch … Unfortunately, our mission is to be go-betweens on the springboard to the next life.”
De Souza and her medical team have been released on bail last week, but prosecutors submitted on Monday that she has to be returned to custody because witnesses have reported being intimidated.
Assad, De Souza’s lawyer, said that investigators are failing to understand how an intensive care unit works, and that De Souza would be able to prove her innocence.