Michael Swango

Michael Swango

Michael Joseph Swango (born October 21, 1954) is an American serial killer and former physician. Swango is estimated to have been involved in as many as 60 fatal poisonings of patients and colleagues, although he was only convicted for a fraction of these deaths. His crimes were committed over a span of nearly two decades, primarily in the United States, but also in Africa.

Early Life and Education

Michael Swango was born in Tacoma, Washington, and raised in Quincy, Illinois. He graduated as valedictorian from Quincy Catholic Boys High School in 1972. Swango then attended Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, before transferring to Quincy University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in biology and chemistry.

Swango went on to attend the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU). During his time at SIU, Swango's behavior began to raise suspicions. He was known for his fascination with dying patients and was often present during medical emergencies. Despite these concerns, he graduated in 1983.

Medical Career and Crimes

Swango's first job after medical school was as an intern at the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. During his time there, several patients died under suspicious circumstances. An investigation was launched, but Swango was not charged with any crimes at that time.

After leaving Ohio State, Swango worked in various medical facilities across the United States, including the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Northport, New York, and the University of South Dakota Medical Center. At each location, patients and colleagues began to suffer from unexplained illnesses and deaths.

In 1985, Swango was convicted of poisoning co-workers at a hospital in Illinois and served five years in prison. After his release, he changed his name and continued to work in the medical field, moving to New York, South Dakota, and eventually Africa.

Capture and Conviction

Swango's crimes finally caught up with him in 1997 when he was arrested for fraud in New York. During the investigation, authorities uncovered evidence linking him to multiple patient deaths. In 2000, Swango was extradited to the United States from Zimbabwe, where he had been working under an alias.

In 2000, Swango pleaded guilty to killing three patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New York and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He is currently serving his sentence at the ADX Florence supermax prison in Florence, Colorado.

Legacy

Michael Swango's case has had a significant impact on the medical community, leading to stricter regulations and background checks for medical professionals. His story has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and television shows.

See Also

• List of serial killers in the United States
• Medical malpractice
• Poisoning