Butler, Pennsylvania – Heather Pressdee, 41, faced a harsh sentencing on Tuesday for her involvement in the deaths of at least 17 patients in health facilities across four counties between 2020 and 2023. She was handed three consecutive life sentences and an additional consecutive term of 380-760 years behind bars in a courtroom in Butler, located about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.
The victims, ranging in age from 43 to 104, fell victim to Pressdee’s actions. Co-workers reported concerns about her behavior, noting her disdain for patients and derogatory comments towards them. Pressdee pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and 19 counts of attempted murder, leading to her sentencing of multiple life terms.
Initially charged with killing two nursing home patients and injuring a third, further investigation revealed additional charges against her. Pressdee’s pattern involved administering excessive amounts of insulin to patients, some of whom were not even diabetic, during overnight shifts when emergencies were less likely to prompt immediate hospitalization due to low staffing levels.
Pressdee’s nursing license was suspended following the initial charges, and court documents revealed disturbing texts she sent to her mother discussing her discontent with patients and colleagues, as well as expressing thoughts of harming them. Prosecutors documented a history of abusive behavior towards patients and/or staff at various facilities where Pressdee had worked, leading to her resignations or terminations.
Throughout her career at western Pennsylvania nursing homes and facilities, Pressdee held multiple short-term positions starting in 2018, indicating a concerning pattern of misconduct. The plea hearing, which included victim impact statements, shed light on the tragic consequences of Pressdee’s actions and the devastation she brought upon numerous families and communities.