Archive · 18 Dec 2025
French anaesthetist jailed for poisoning patients
A doctor in France named Frédéric Péchier was sent to jail for life because he poisoned many patients.
He worked in two hospitals and made people very sick, some of whom died.
The youngest person he hurt was just four years old, and the oldest was 89.
The court said he did this to show off his skills and to make other doctors look bad.
He says he is not guilty, but the court found him responsible and he will be in jail for at least 22 years.
He can ask for another trial in the next 10 days.
Frédéric Péchier, a 53-year-old anaesthetist, was jailed for life for poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died.
He worked at two clinics in Besançon, France, and was accused of contaminating infusion bags to cause cardiac arrest or hemorrhaging.
His victims ranged in age from 4 to 89 years old, including a child who survived two cardiac arrests during a routine surgery.
Péchier was previously considered a 'star anaesthetist' but was found to have intentionally harmed patients to showcase his resuscitation skills and discredit colleagues.
He has always denied the charges and maintains his innocence, stating he has upheld the Hippocratic oath.
- Who
- Frédéric Péchier, a 53-year-old anaesthetist
- What
- Poisoned 30 patients, 12 of whom died
- When
- Between 2008 and 2017
- Where
- Two clinics in Besançon, France
- Why
- Allegedly to show off resuscitation skills and discredit co-workers
- Name
- Frédéric Péchier
- Age
- 53
- Location
- Besançon, France
- Victims
- 30 patients (12 died)
- Sentence
- Life imprisonment with a minimum of 22 years
- Timeframe of crimes
- 2008-2017
- Youngest victim
- 4-year-old child
- Oldest victim
- 89-year-old