Four Corners: Oct 7

On Monday’s Four Corners, Killer Nurse, an ITN production, looks at an “Angel of Death,” convicted of killing four children in a small UK hospital in 1991.

“This young lady was callous, sadistic. She was attacking children after children. They were vulnerable, innocent, defenceless and yet she had no emotion whatsoever and no remorse.” Former detective

It was a shocking betrayal of trust – a serial killer working in a children’s ward, committing acts of murder on the patients in her care.

“She was quite calm, quite confident for somebody who’s just been arrested for murder.” Retired Detective Superintendent

British nurse Beverley Allitt was convicted of killing four children in small regional hospital in 1991. Another nine children survived her attempts to kill them.

“They had to use adult doses of shock for me…They were very close (to) giving up.” Surviving patient

Her actions still haunt both the police who investigated her case and the surviving victim and families.

“I suppose the only way you can describe it is flashbacks of what happened. She looks under her bed, in drawers, looking for Nurse Allitt.” Mother of victim

In this British ITN production, filmmakers have been given access to the original police interviews with the so called “Angel of Death”.

“No matter what you say, I’m sticking to me story, I did not do it.” Beverley Allitt

The police recordings reveal a cold, calculating killer who showed no remorse.

“It brings it all back actually…she sounded confident, she replied to us straightaway, there was no hesitation, she knew exactly what she was doing.” Former detective

The investigators recount their difficulties in finding the evidence to prove their belief that the nurse was responsible for the series of unexplained deaths in the hospital.

“I looked at the report and had the feeling that it was basically shutting down the inquiry.” Retired Detective Superintendent

Allitt was sentenced to 30 years in prison, but weeks into her detention she convinced authorities to move her to a secure mental health facility with far less restrictions. The filmmakers have unearthed evidence that Allitt may have faked her way out of prison.

“I think this woman is an incredibly manipulative individual. She’s somebody who has managed to pull the strings of other people for years and years.” Criminologist

Monday 7th October at 8.30pm on ABC.