Hospitals Slammed Over Necrophiliac David Fuller’s 15 Years of Abuse
An official inquiry has exposed shocking failings at Kent’s Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust that allowed necrophiliac David Fuller to sexually abuse over 100 corpses undetected for 15 years.
Fuller’s Sick Crimes Went Unnoticed
Fuller, already serving a whole-life sentence for the 1987 murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce, carried out his twisted acts on bodies at Kent and Sussex Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital mortuaries between 2005 and 2020.
The nurse’s decade-and-a-half of horror only came to light during a 2020 police probe, revealing he filmed himself abusing 101 victims while on the job. Even more disturbingly, Fuller sexually attacked 12 victims during normal working hours when mortuary staff should have been present.
Inquiry Uncovers ‘Serious Failings’ and Missed Warning Signs
The 2021 government inquiry, chaired by Sir Jonathan Michael, blasted hospital bosses for “missed opportunities” to stop Fuller. Sir Jonathan said: “Had his colleagues, managers, and senior leaders been more curious, it is likely that he would have had less opportunity to offend.”
The report highlighted a toxic culture of complacency, poor governance, and a shocking lack of standard checks. Staff showed little curiosity about Fuller’s behaviour, helping create an environment where abuse thrived unchecked.
17 Recommendations to Stop Future Nightmares
- Mandate maintenance work in mortuaries is done in pairs
- Require all non-mortuary staff and contractors to be accompanied
- Ban leaving bodies outside fridges overnight or during maintenance
- Install CCTV in mortuaries and post-mortem rooms
- Review trust board governance for stricter oversight
The inquiry also revealed the trust knew of issues as far back as 2008, but took little effective action.
Now, all eyes are on who will be held accountable for letting Fuller’s atrocities go on unchecked for so long. Campaigners demand urgent reforms to protect vulnerable victims and restore trust in hospital safety.
