Note: Varies by jurisdiction Note: Varies by jurisdiction An angel of mercy or angel of death is a type of criminal offender (often a type of serial killer) who is usually employed as a medical practitioner or a caregiver and intentionally harms or kills people under their care.
[1][2][3] The angel of mercy is often in a position of power and may decide the victim would be better off if they no longer suffered from whatever severe illness is plaguing them.
[10] One such killer was nurse Jane Toppan, who admitted during her murder trial that she was sexually aroused by death.
She would administer a drug mixture to patients she chose as her victims, lie in bed with them and hold them close to her body as they died.
[9] This motive of excitement from inducing a health crisis for the patient has recently been labeled as a professional version of Münchausen syndrome by proxy, a type of factitious disorder.