The case of Dr John Bodkin Adams remains one of Britain's most controversial medical scandals - a GP accused of murdering 163 patients in the 1950s, yet walking free from the Old Bailey after a sensational trial that gripped the nation.
The 'Angel of Death' General Practitioner
Working as a general practitioner in Eastbourne during the postwar years, Dr Adams built a reputation for attending wealthy elderly patients. His practice saw an extraordinarily high number of deaths - with 163 patients dying under suspicious circumstances between 1946 and 1956.
Suspicious Patterns Emerge
Authorities became alarmed when they noticed:
- An unusual number of wealthy patients dying shortly after changing their wills in Adams' favour
- Massive doses of morphine and heroin prescribed to elderly patients who subsequently died
- Adams inheriting valuable gifts from deceased patients including cars, antiques and cash
The Bombshell Trial
In 1957, Adams stood trial at the Old Bailey accused of murdering one patient, Edith Alice Morrell. The prosecution alleged he administered fatal doses of drugs to end her life. The case revealed shocking details:
"He would sit by their bedsides at night, syringe in hand, administering what he claimed were painkillers," one court observer noted.
Controversial Acquittal
Despite compelling evidence, Adams was acquitted after:
- Key medical experts disagreed on cause of death
- The judge's summing up appeared biased toward the defence
- Critical evidence about other suspicious deaths was ruled inadmissible
Lasting Mystery and Legacy
The case continues to divide historians and legal experts. Some believe Adams was a mercy killer easing patients' suffering, while others maintain he was a calculating murderer. His acquittal led to major changes in British law regarding:
- Rules about multiple murder charges
- Procedures for investigating suspicious doctor conduct
- Regulations around inheritance from patients
Adams was later struck off the medical register for unrelated prescription fraud, but never faced further murder charges. He died in 1983, taking his secrets to the grave.
