Former nursing assistant admits to giving insulin to VA patients with intent to kill

CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — Federal charges have been filed against a former nursing assistant at the VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, accused of killing seven people.

According to unsealed online court records, Reta Mays injected insulin into eight VA patients who suffered from Type 2 diabetes between July 2017 and June 2018.

One of the victims is Felix McDermott, a Westmoreland County veteran who died in April 2018.

Mays is charged with seven counts of second-degree murder and one count of assault with intent to commit murder. She pled guilty to the charges Tuesday afternoon.

Family members of several of the victims were both emotional and relieved with what happened in court.

“I did feel sad about what she had done and what she deserves to get. I’m satisfied with what’s going on and what will happen in the end,” Steven Edgell said.

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A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia said Mays worked as a nursing assistant at the facility. She worked the overnight shift during the same time the veterans in her care died of hypoglycemia. Nursing assistants are not qualified or authorized to administer any medications. Mays admitted to giving insulin to several patients with the intent to kill them.

Mays faces life in prison for each count of second-degree murder.

The VA’s Office of Inspector General sent Channel 11 a statement:

“What occurred at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center is tragic and heartbreaking. This case is particularly shocking because these deaths were at the hands of a nursing assistant who was entrusted with providing compassionate and supportive care to veterans. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.

Within a matter of days of learning of the suspicious deaths at the facility, VA OIG agents identified the defendant as a person of interest. Working with medical facility leaders, the defendant was immediately removed from patient care. Without critical investigative actions being taken so expeditiously, additional lives could have been lost.

This was a complex investigation that involved a close partnership between the VA Office of Inspector General, US Attorney Bill Powell’s Office and the FBI, with the invaluable assistance of the West Virginia State Police and the Greater Harrison County Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force. These collaborations resulted in solving this series of heinous crimes against veterans and providing some measure of closure for the victims and their families. The result today was due to the tireless and dedicated efforts of the VA OIG law enforcement team, particularly lead Special Agent Keith Vereb, underthe leadership of Resident Agent in Charge Colin Davis and Special Agent in Charge Kim Lampkins.

Our investigators painstakingly sought, tested, and pieced together an overwhelming amount of evidence to create the foundation for this case. For example, the investigation included

• extensive forensic audits and analyses, data modeling, and exhaustive medical record reviews;
• approximately 350 interviews;
• more than 60 subpoenas and search warrants on electronic media;
• approximately 1,200 current and former employee timecard reviews;
• reviews of about 670,000 VA employee emails and multiple years of swipe card access logs for multiple personnel;
• forensic analyses for various insulin and tissue samples by multiple experts; and
• coordinated disinterments and reinternments, with family agreement (including full military honors per family request), and witnessed associated autopsies.

The fact that the defendant pleaded guilty today to seven counts of second-degree murder is a testament to the strength of the case developed by our criminal team through their diligence, tenacity, and skill.”

Former nursing assistant pleads guilty to killing patients at Clarksburg veterans facility Former nursing assistant pleads guilty to killing patients at Clarksburg veterans facility

Cox Media Group