I killed 40 patients, says nurse

POLICE are reopening patient records in two US states following the arrest of a nurse who has said he killed up to 40 terminally ill people under his care.

Charles Cullen, 43, told authorities he administered drug overdoses to put “very sick” patients out of their misery over the last 16 years in nine hospitals and a nursing home in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

“The evidence that we have indicates that may very well be the case,” prosecutor Wayne Forrest said. Cullen was charged with one count each of murder and attempted murder, but more charges could follow.