UK to investigate corpse abuse by a hospital worker

The British government is launching an independent inquiry into how David Fuller, a hospital electrician was able to sexually abuse at least 100 corpses in hospital mortuaries.

Last week, Fuller, who is 67, admitted that he murdered two women in 1987 whom he subsequently sexually assaulted. When police searched Fuller’s home to gather evidence in connection with the women’s deaths, it uncovered around four million images of sexual abuse that included video recordings of him abusing bodies over a period of 12 years at two hospitals in southeast England.

“Officers have tragically found evidence of 100 victims. The inquiry will look into the circumstances surrounding the offenses committed at the hospital, and their national implications,” Health Secretary Sajid Javid said while announcing the inquiry.

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Javid apologised to the friends and family of the victims in this case.

Javid said the inquiry’s terms of reference will be published in “due course”. The committee will be headed by experienced National Health Service executive Jonathan Michael. He will hold talks with the families of the abused.

Javid also said that the government will look at whether the penalties for “appalling” sexual offenses are appropriate.

Fuller pleaded guilty on Thursday to murdering Wendy Knell, 25, and Caroline Pierce, 20, in two separate attacks in the town of Tunbridge Wells in 1987. He had previously admitted to 51 other offenses, including 44 charges relating to 78 identified victims in mortuaries where he was working as an electrician. Identified victims included three children under the age of 18 and others older than 85 between 2008 and November 2020.

He filmed himself carrying out the attacks at mortuaries inside the now-closed Kent and Sussex Hospital and the Tunbridge Wells Hospital, in Pembury, where he worked in electrical maintenance roles since 1989.

Hospitals have been asked to urgently review practices with regards to effective CCTV coverage, all entry and access points controlled by swipe access, risk assessment, and appropriate security checks.

The new inquiry replaces the investigation that is already being carried out by the trust that runs the hospitals concerned.

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Javid said the inquiry will be split into two parts, with an interim report published early next year and a second final report looking at the broader national picture and the wider lessons for the NHS.

“This is a profoundly upsetting case that has involved distressing offenses within the health service. The victims are not just those family members and friends who have been abused in this most horrific of ways, they are also those that are left behind,” said Javid.