A former nurse in North Carolina is accused of murdering two patients and almost killing a third by delivering insulin in fatal dosages.
Johnathan Hayes, 47, a former employee at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, was charged with two charges of murder and one count of attempted murder on Tuesday, according to Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill.
On January 5, Hayes administered a deadly amount of insulin to Gwen Crawford, according to O’Neill. Crawford died on January 8 after a few days.
O’Neill stated that on January 22, Hayes injected Vickie Lingerfelt with a fatal amount of insulin. Lingerfelt died on January 27.
Hayes is also accused of giving Pamela Little a near-fatal amount of insulin on December 1, 2021, but Little lived, according to O’Neill.
According to an Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist spokesman, Hayes was fired from the medical center in March after an initial investigation was launched. On Tuesday, he was brought into arrest on allegations of murder.
O’Neill stated that the inquiry began on March 21, when he and Winston-Salem police officers spoke with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center executives.
He stated that Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist had undertaken their own investigation and given information indicating that Hayes allegedly delivered a deadly amount of insulin to a patient and may have done the same to additional patients.
O’Neill stated, “On that day, an investigating team presented us with material indicating that a nurse, Johnathan Hayes, may have administered a deadly quantity of insulin, resulting in the death of that patient and maybe others.”
The District Attorney’s Office and the Winston-Salem Police Department used the information to conduct another full investigation, which included conducting interviews, gathering evidence, and speaking with the deceased’s families.
O’Neill stated that the information and evidence acquired indicated that Hayes acted alone, prompting him to file murder charges against the ‘rogue’ former nurse.
O’Neill stated, “All the evidence indicates Hayes acted alone.”
O’Neill noted that Hayes is charged with murder and attempted murder, ‘not negligent homicide’ as he would be for medical negligence.
O’Neill stated, “What concerns me about these types of incidents is that the victims are extremely vulnerable.”
O’Neill stated, “Johnathan Hayes has lost the right to be considered a nurse.” From here on, he will be known as the defendant. No one in this community should be reluctant or hesitant to seek treatment at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center or any of our other exceptional healthcare facilities in Forsyth County.
The Winston-Salem Police Department has established a phone line for anyone who believes they may be Hayes’ victim. The telephone number is (336) 757-0357. It is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
According to officials, the inquiry is underway.