Court Sentences French Anaesthetist Frédéric Péchier to Life for Poisoning 30 Patients and Murdering 12

A French court in Besançon on Dec. 18, 2025, sentenced former anaesthetist Frédéric Péchier, 53, to life imprisonment.

“The prosecution accused Frederic Pechier of having ‘used medicine to kill’ at least 12 people”

Al Jazeera

He was found guilty of intentionally poisoning 30 patients between 2008 and 2017; twelve of those victims died and others were severely harmed.

Al Jazeera

Reports place the attacks at two private clinics in eastern France and say victims ranged in age from a four-year-old child to 89.

The conviction followed a multi-month trial that heard technical medical testimony and emotional accounts from victims and families.

Péchier denies being the poisoner and has the right to appeal.

Court and forensic findings reported across outlets say Péchier contaminated infusion and IV fluid bags and anaesthetic equipment with foreign chemicals, leading to sudden cardiac arrests and severe hemorrhaging in many cases.

Several reports list substances reportedly used to induce arrests or bleeding, including potassium, local anaesthetics, adrenaline, and anticoagulants.

Asaba Metro News

Forensic and toxicological tests are described as identifying deliberate tampering that was incompatible with standard practice.

Prosecutors at trial portrayed Péchier’s acts as deliberate and premeditated, driven by motives that included discrediting colleagues, inflicting psychological harm and feeding a 'thirst for power'.

“Wia dis foto come from,ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP One court for France don sentence one former anaesthetist to life imprisonment afta dem find am guilty say, e intentionally poison 30 patients, and 12 of dem dey deadly”

BBC

Several reports say he sometimes allegedly poisoned patients of rivals and then intervened to resuscitate them to conceal his actions, a detail prosecutors presented as evidence of calculated behaviour.

Péchier has repeatedly denied the charges, with defence lawyers arguing some incidents could be medical errors and announcing plans to appeal.

Victim testimony and family accounts were featured throughout coverage.

A recurring survivor cited by multiple outlets is a four-year-old boy, called Teddy in some reports, who suffered two cardiac arrests during a routine tonsil operation in 2016.

CBS News

He survived but continues to suffer long-term effects.

Outlets note the trial included both technical medical evidence and emotional accounts, and judges and prosecutors were quoted describing the crimes as among the most disturbing in recent French history.

Reports differ on sentencing details and the legal aftermath.

“A French court on Thursday sentenced a doctor to life in jail for poisoning 30 child and adult patients, 12 of whom died, in an alleged attempt to discredit co-workers”

Channels Television

Multiple outlets say Péchier received a life sentence and note a French statutory or specified minimum term of 22 years before parole can be considered.

Channels Television

Several reports say he has 10 days to appeal.

Coverage also diverges on peripheral points, including whether he was free on bail during parts of the proceedings and the use of dramatic labels like "Doctor Death" or comparisons to other serial medical killers in tabloid and local commentary.