'Angel of Death' Under Investigation

G L E N D A L E, Calif., Jan. 10 -- Almost three years after telling policehe was the “Angel of Death,” a former respiratory therapist wasarrested for investigation of the murders of six hospital patients.

The arrest of Efren Saldivar, 31, on Tuesday capped a lengthy probeof deaths at Glendale Adventist Medical Center.

“Today we can announce that we believe we have found the truth,as disturbing as that truth is,” Police Chief Russell Siverlingsaid.

He also said investigators have an “initial inkling” thatSaldivar may have killed patients at other hospitals where hemoonlighted.

Saldivar, arrested as he arrived at his job as an electrician’sapprentice, was held without bail.

“He’s very distraught. He’s very shocked and distressed,” saidTerry M. Goldberg, who has been representing Saldivar in a seriesof wrongful death lawsuits filed against him and GlendaleAdventist.

Alleged Confession, Then Retraction

Investigators have been tight-lipped about the case since itsurfaced in March 1998 when the state Respiratory Care Boardsuspended Saldivar’s license.

That month, Saldivar allegedly told police he committed dozensof mercy killings at the medical center between 1989 and 1997. Hetold police he considered himself the “Angel of Death.”

Police said Saldivar told them he was angry at seeing terminallyill patients kept alive and killed them by injectingmuscle-paralyzing drugs into their intravenous lines.

In later TV interviews, Saldivar recanted, saying he had liedbecause he was depressed, suicidal and wanted to be sent to deathrow. He was fired from the hospital and his license was revoked.

Investigators reviewed the deaths of 171 patients who died whileSaldivar was working at the hospital. Fifty-four cases wereeliminated because bodies had been cremated.

Evidence of murder

Of the remainder, 20 deaths were determined to have beensuspicious, and paralyzing drugs were found in the bodies of six.