John Bodkin Adams was a general practitioner in Eastbourne, Sussex. Between 1946 and 1956, 163 of his patients died while in comas. 132 out of 310 patients had left Adams money or items in their wills. He was tried and acquitted for the murder of one patient in 1957. Scotland Yard’s files on the case were initially closed to the public for 75 years.
About John Bodkin Adams in brief
John Bodkin Adams was a general practitioner in Eastbourne, Sussex. Between 1946 and 1956, 163 of his patients died while in comas. 132 out of 310 patients had left Adams money or items in their wills. He was tried and acquitted for the murder of one patient in 1957. Scotland Yard’s files on the case were initially closed to the public for 75 years. Special permission was granted in 2003 to reopen the files, and these have since been used by several researchers. Adams was found guilty in a subsequent trial of 13 offences of prescription fraud, lying on cremation forms, obstructing a police search and failing to keep a dangerous drugs register. In 1935, Adams inherited £7,385 from a patient, Matilda Whitton, which amounted to £11,465, equivalent to £430,931 and £669,007 at 2011 values. The will was contested in court, though a codicil giving Adams’ mother £100 was overturned in court. Adams then began receiving anonymous postcards about him, as he admitted in a newspaper interview in 1957 that he received at a rate of three or four per year until World War II. He never admitted to any crime. Adams died in 1973, aged 89, and was buried in a private ceremony at St Mary’s, Eastbourne. He is buried at St James’ Park, East Sussex, with his wife and three children.
His funeral was held at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, where he is buried alongside his wife. He also leaves behind a son and two daughters. Adams is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son-in-law. He died in 1993, aged 90, and is buried in St James’s Park, London. He had no children. Adams’ last will and testament can be found at the National Archives in London. For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org for details. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255 or visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org. In Europe, contact the National suicide Prevention Line at 1-856-788-8457. In America, call the Salvation Army in the United States on 866-988-9090. For more information on suicide prevention, visit the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at http://www.suicidesprevention.org/. In the UK, contact The Samaritans on 0300 123 90 90 or click here for details on how to get in contact with them. For confidential. support on suicide matters, call a Samaritans helpline on 0800 555 111 or visit the Samaritans in the UK or the U.S., or Europe on their online and international separation line at 08457 909090.
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