They called it a "death pavilion." Over six years, four nurses in Vienna killed dozens of their own patients — and were only caught after bragging about it at a hotel bar.
Who They Were
Waltraud Wagner, Maria Gruber, Irene Leidolf, and Stephanija Meyer were nurses at Lainz General Hospital in Vienna, Austria. Wagner, then 23, killed her first patient with a morphine overdose in 1983, later recruiting the other three women into a pattern of killing elderly and vulnerable patients under their care.
The Method
The group developed a method that was difficult to detect: restraining a patient while forcing water into their airway until they died from what appeared to be natural fluid buildup, a common issue in older patients. This made the deaths difficult to distinguish from natural causes.
The Arrest
The women were caught after being overheard discussing their crimes at a local hotel. They ultimately admitted to 49 killings over six years, though investigators believed the true number could have been significantly higher.
Convictions
Wagner was convicted of 15 murders, 17 attempted murders, and two counts of assault, and sentenced to life in prison. Leidolf was also sentenced to life after being convicted of five murders. Gruber and Meyer received 15-year sentences on murder and attempted murder charges. Because Austria has no death penalty, all four became eligible for release under standard sentencing guidelines and were released in 2008, citing good behavior.
FAQ
How many patients did the Lainz nurses kill?
They admitted to 49 killings, though investigators believed the actual number could have been much higher.
Are the Lainz Angels of Death still in prison?
No. All four were released in 2008 after serving their sentences under Austrian law.
How were they caught?
They were overheard discussing their crimes at a local hotel, which led to their arrest.