CHICORA, Pa. – Charges have been filed against a western Pennsylvania registered nurse accused of administering lethal doses of unnecessary medication that killed two patients and hospitalized a third, prosecutors announced Thursday Gen. Michelle Henry of Pennsylvania.
Heather Pressdee, 40, of Natrona Heights, is charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, one count of aggravated assault, three counts of neglect of a dependent and three counts of reckless danger
According to a statement, the alleged acts happened at Quality Life Services, a skilled nursing facility in Chicora where Pressdee worked as an RN.
Pressdee is charged in the deaths of a 55-year-old man and an 83-year-old man. The third victim, a 73-year-old man, survived after emergency hospitalization, according to the AG’s office.
The two men died on December 4, 2022 and December 25, 2022. The surviving victim allegedly received a potentially lethal dose of insulin on August 31, 2022.
Investigators determined the victims were under Pressdee’s care when they overdosed on insulin, leading to medical emergencies, according to a statement.
Authorities said two of the three men were not diabetic.
“Somebody in his position to do this intentionally is just absolutely sick,” said Pressdee’s neighbor, Gerald Montgomery.
According to the criminal complaint, Pressdee told investigators he felt bad for the victims because their quality of life was not good and claimed one victim asked him to “kill him.”
“He’s basically playing God,” Montgomery said. “She’s picking and choosing who she wanted to live and who she wanted to die.”
Since 2018, Pressdee worked numerous jobs at various nursing homes and local hospitals, according to investigative documents.
The AG’s office said they identified a pattern of disciplining Pressdee for abusive behavior toward patients or staff at each facility, leading to his resignation or firing.
“I hope they look into his background,” Montgomery said.
Pressdee was arrested at her home on Wednesday. She was arraigned on charges that night and is being held in the Butler County Jail without bond.
The investigation is being conducted by the Fraud Control Section of the Office of the Medicaid Attorney General and the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation.
The Prosecutor’s Office continues to investigate. Anyone with questions about the care their loved one received in connection with Pressdee is asked to contact the OAG tip line at 888-538-8541.
“The allegations in this case describe the cruel abuse of incredibly vulnerable patients by a professional nurse,” said Attorney General Henry. “As the charges allege, these were deliberate and intentional acts perpetrated by a caregiver who was trusted to care for these victims. Rest assured, my office will zealously seek justice for the families of those who were killed, as well as for the third victim who is lucky to have survived.”
Quality Life Services in Chicora released the following statement following the AG’s announcement:
“As a family organization that prides itself on providing safe and compassionate care, Quality Life Services is shocked and devastated to learn that the charges brought against Ms. Pressdee by the Office of the Attorney General include alleged illegal activities that produced at our QLS – Chicora facility. . We will continue to cooperate fully with the Attorney General’s Office as necessary in this investigation and prosecution of this matter. We can assure our community, our residents, our families and our staff that all residents of Quality Life Services – Chicora are safe and receiving appropriate care and services.”
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