Roger Andermatt (born 1969), known as The Death-Keeper of Lucerne, is a Swiss serial killer. With 22 claimed victims between 1995 and 2001, he is the most prolific serial killer in Swiss criminal history.

Roger Andermatt
Born1969 (age 54–55)
Other namesThe Death-Keeper of Lucerne
Conviction(s)Murder
Criminal penaltyLife imprisonment
Details
Victims22
Span of crimes
1995–2001
CountrySwitzerland

Life

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Andermatt worked as a nurse in various retirement homes in central Switzerland, including the Eichhof retirement home in Lucerne. All his victims were in need of care. The murders were noticed by an accumulation of deaths in certain homes. The victims in question's bodies were exhumed and autopsied in 2001. Andermatt was also known as a dance teacher and a DJ by the name "R.O-Gee".[1]

Andermatt was convicted on 28 January 2005, by the Lucerne Criminal Court for murder in 22 cases, attempted murder in three cases and unfinished murder in two cases with resignation and life imprisonment. Thus, the court's punishment was above the prosecutor's request, and, in particular, did not follow the line of defense (killing out of sympathy).[2]

On 15 February 2006, the sentence was upheld at a second hearing. The Lucerne High Court convicted Andermatt but only in seven murder cases. The remaining 15 cases were classified as deliberate killings. There are also three completed and two unfinished killing attempts.[3] Owing to the high number of victims, the court decided to sentence Andermatt to life imprisonment.[4]

Andermatt confessed to the murders, but claims to have acted out of compassion. He also complained that he and the nursing team had been overwhelmed.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Detailbericht in der Zeitung Blick
  2. ^ Prozess Gegen Todespfleger von Luzern Archived 2013-01-17 at archive.today at news.search.ch, 21 January 2005
  3. ^ Es bleibt bei lebenslänglich für den «Todespfleger». In: Neue Zürcher Zeitung from February 16, 2006
  4. ^ SF Tagesschau Archived 2011-03-12 at the Wayback Machine at www.tagesschau.sf.tv, February 15, 2006.