'Jolly' Jane Toppan : America's Serial Killer Nurse

[@WellINever]

We started writing this as part of a '5 Killer Drs & Nurses' episode but there was just so much to the story! I hope we did it justice.

[@-Reagan]

I always enjoy a deeper dive in one story, rather than multiple cases where we’re just told the surface details and left to dig up more on our own.

[@juliestrickland7754]

You definitely did it justice. I loved it!

[@deniseleplatt1616]

As always it was fantastic

[@sarafleming9893]

You told this one so very well. I found it a little difficult to focus on my work while listening! 😃

[@ahambrahmasmi108]

Very well done sir!!

[@gleefulme9617]

What a psychopath! I'm a retired RN. On one occasion I was assigned a patient who had been my preceptor immediately after nursing school. The woman was not good to me. Later I learned she was in the midst of a divorce. Having been through one myself I knew how it distorts your perception of present events. Instead of stirring up bad things, I think my assignment of her became a healing point for both of us. If we desire mercy & forgiveness for ourselves, we must show mercy & forgiveness towards others.

[@gohawks3571]

What a wonderful opportunity😊❤️

[@shereesmazik5030]

You are the kind of nurse I would like .

[@derycktrahair8108]

@gleeful...you are OK..Medical = a Military model. eg, Drs = Officers, Matron = Sgt Major, & Nurses do most of the work. You guys help people to recover form those expensive operations. Never regret the care & hope you give to someone. It makes a big difference.

[@gleefulme9617]

@@derycktrahair8108 Thank you for your kind words. I witnessed > a few wonders as a nurse. Patients often heal the nurses, doctors & medical staff with whom they interact. I learned a great deal from patients & their families.

[@woodpigeon7776]

Wise soul 💗✨

[@whowantswaffles]

I know this isn't the main topic but it's pretty terrifying to think orphans could just be written off into jobs without pay, for years, and should be 'grateful.' I dread to think the levels of abuse...

[@pimpozza]

I agree, Mushman. I was thinking exactly the same thing.. 😔

[@galatea5455]

Not much different than our current U.S. foster care system really. Plenty of horror stores from those who have been in the system.

[@justme-tj3jt]

Many, almost all children who have been abused or abandoned in an orphanage don't become a psychopathic cold-blooded murderer.

[@mobilephil244]

Have you read "Marigold" by Maeve Binchy ? It's about the child-labour-deportations that were sitll in full swing from Britain in the 1960's.

[@TahtahmesDiary]

This is still common rhetoric. As a transracial adoptee who was adopted by abusive people, I have been told many times I should be grateful for my traumatic childhood. We are treated with scorn from the jump while adoptive and foster parents are always coddled and given the benefit of the doubt. It is already traumatic to lose family (community, home land, language, etc) as a child, but to never really feel a part of the family that took you in and welcomes praise for doing so is another added layer of emotional torture.

[@nicolew4877]

I’m so angry that she got to enjoy her old age, unlike her elderly victims who she thought were “a burden on society”.

[@justme-tj3jt]

it shows her pathology as a psychopath.

[@tx2128]

Insane asylums of the day were pretty grim so at least there's that.

[@annodomini7250]

who said she enjoyed old age?

[@FieldMarshalRommel23]

It matters not, “Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord”

[@azillliasmith2734]

Sounds like Yvonne Cooper and the labour party...." the oap burden on Society bit.....

[@devodootie]

They rarely see themselves as a psycho. It’s a good thing they didn’t let her out. Thank you for another great episode!

[@janetpendlebury6808]

That's because they don't realise that they are not normal, it is just how they are.

[@harrietharlow9929]

I agree! She would only have found a way to go back to murdering innocent people.

[@101Volts]

Plenty of evil people believe they're good people.

[@stacieransom5677]

I agree. They never do. Which makes them that much more dangerous. In her case, however, it seems the question of self morality never even occurred to her. Not even as an afterthought. Scary.

[@KellyHill-bh7uj]

It's not that they don't know that they are psychopaths. It's just that by their very nature of being a psychopath they don't care that they are psychopaths. That's why they psychopath test that you can take online are useless because a psychopath wouldn't care one way or the other to find out if they're a psychopath remember they have no remorse they have no empathy but they do know they're different if they can fit in just about anywhere they just mirror the traits of the person there around and just as a side note not all psychopaths are murderers while they may be shitty people it doesn't make all of them murderers

[@pinkiepie6880]

I don't think she was insane; she was just a psychopath and a murderer. I just thought of the old adage about women being poisoners. It's always awful to hear about someone taking advantage of the weak, sickly or elderly. Exactly as she did. Whenever someone is in a place of authority (police officer, barrister or lawyer, doctor) or works as a care giver (nurse, therapist, etc) it can he hard for those working around them to even imagine they are committing such atrocities. And if you have expertise is pharmacology, it can be hard to prove a murder was committed at all. Reminds me of how Harold Shipman, the most prolific modern serial killer, got away with his crimes for so many years... no one wants to believe that a pillar of the community could commit heinous crimes against humanity. Great video as always! Love your delivery, how respectful you are towards all parties involved... it's good to have neutrality when talking about crimes. I dislike some KZbinrs deliveries on true crim3 cases as the romanticize the murderers and don't pay respect to the victims; as if it's all a big joke or perhaps giving salacious accounts garners views. I personally don't like it. I've followed your channel from almost it's inception and like everything about it; from traveling to historical sites, covering obscure crimes and the well researched delivery of the cases. Thank you to you and your team!

[@kellydalstok8900]

Yesterday I watched a documentary about 796 children that died in a mother and child institution in Tuam, Ireland run by nuns who were trained nurses. A lot of the children died of starvation and easy to treat illnesses. These evil nuns then dumped the bodies of these children in the septic tanks on the institution grounds. In Germany even secretaries who worked at the Nazi death camps were tried, but the Irish government refuses to set up a criminal investigation into the crimes committed at the institution. The religious order, which is a multi billion dollar organization, offered a measly 2.5 million instead of the 13 million the recovery of those tiny remains, the identification, and a decent burial are estimated to cost.

[@tabbitee]

Tuam was the start of my fall from religion. The Canadian residential schools finished it.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

From the first notes of how the Catholic Church went as far as hiring smugglers and forging documents to help sneak Nazis out of Europe and avoid their trials (including the likes of Josef Mengele... so not just subordinates "following orders") I've scoured everything I can, and unearthed one atrocity after another as far back as monotheistic religion (and associated occultism and zealotry) reaches into any records at all. There isn't enough justification or good to be done to outweigh the horrors brought upon this earth "in the name of God"... ;o)

[@nokomarie1963]

They were unwanted, born in sin, and irredeemable. I'm not so sure it's religion but an odd cruelty in the Irish.

[@janetpendlebury6808]

There are similar documentaries about the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland run by the Magdalene Nuns. From 1922 until 1996, at least 10,000 girls and women were imprisoned, forced to carry out unpaid labour and subjected to severe psychological and physical maltreatment in Ireland's Magdalene Institutions.

[@sda9995]

Over 3000 children was found residential school 😢 there still more missing

[@donnariahi2975]

So many people who entered the medical field end up betraying their vows. My Grandmother was a nurse for 44years and ended up as assistant nursing supervisor. I worked in hospitals too and found the nursing staffs were wonderful people. Wonderful story Paul.

[@harrietharlow9929]

I agree. I was a CNA for 23 years and while I saw too much abuse in nursing homes, though once I switched to hospice and elder care. I was privileged to know some wonderful RNs and LVNs. Most nursing staff are loving, caring people, fortunately.

[@ritadyer9295]

My former neighbor is a nurse and I would be afraid for her to be my nurse if I had to go to the hospital. Long story and I won’t go into details but she so bent on hurting me she made up lies about herself.

[@kumakena]

Thanks for always showing respect for the victims in all the stories. I love this channel!

[@pimpozza]

I couldn't agree more, Luci. Paul always shows great empathy when he relates these harrowing tales 👍

[@harrietharlow9929]

It really is a lovely channel. I have found every case discussed fascinating with full dignity and respect for the victims.

[@sarafleming9893]

Fantastic story, as always! 😊 I loved the part where Ms. Toppan said she was “. . nothing like the other patients . . “ in the asylum “. . because she could read . .”. 😂 Thank you for the great story, and the chuckle near the end.

[@GaleForceKaif]

Not to mention this part: "I don't have bad thoughts, so I don't see where moral degeneracy comes in." Ma'am, you MURDERED people. 🤦

[@NanaBren]

Paul, thank you for another interesting story. I’m a retired nurse. It troubles me to know that there are people in that profession who care nothing for human life. I’ve seen carelessness in nurses and doctors and the repercussions of their actions. Most are honest mistakes, but sometimes it gives you a strange feeling down your back. I have personally reported several people to higher authority for these actions. Fortunately, 99% of healthcare professionals are competent and sincere. Getting old here in America is terrifying for many reasons. I pray that when my time comes, I will be in a caring place. ❤ Brenda

[@ginaandseason2774]

Your voice us absolute perfection. You tell horrible stories but I could listen to you all day. Well done as always

[@pimpozza]

What a case from a bygone era! Well, I never heard of cruel Jane Toppan before and this story had me glued to the screen. I always find the old tales so intriguing, albeit sad. This was such a heartbreaking case.. brilliantly done, as always. Thank you, Paul 👍🤗

[@pfadiva]

Masterfully researched and narrated! I've heard "Jolly Jane's" story many times before but this was the best.

[@deborahkusaj1928]

I love these old stories. And I like your narrations.

[@fordson51]

I did not recognize the name until you mentioned the old Taunton Asylum. I grew up in Taunton and use to drive passed the old building complex. Toppen is actually recognized in a book about the history of Taunton as one of its most famous patients. The old asylum building closed due to structural issues and has been fences off to prevent trespassers entering. There is still an active hospital there for patients, but not as large as it use to be due to budget constraints.

[@nickydenning6988]

Thank goodness she was finally stopped! Thank you for another fascinating tale.

[@johnhenderson131]

As a retired physician there is nothing more hideous than the betrayal of a patient’s trust. We encounter people at their most vulnerable and they trust us with the most precious gift of all, their life. The most important part of the Hippocratic oath…Help or do no harm…must always be upheld. A healthcare worker that harms a patient is worse than an officer of the law that becomes corrupt. This episode anger and disgusted me more than any other of your episodes. You hit a nerve this time!

[@rosemaryfranzese317]

Jane Toppan seems more like a narcissist than anything else. It seems that she considered herself superior to everyone else and believed she could lie her way out of every situation.

[@alisonancell6047]

Truly horrifying. How easily she went undetected for so long. I can quite believe the number of victims she quoted.

[@jpendowski7503]

Your research and presentation of these horrible crimes is engaging. Thank you.

[@karinac.3378]

I have heard about this story a while ago. The way you narrated it made it seem new. Always so many informations.Thank you very much

[@Ironclockwork]

It is truly the most horrific and tragically effective sort of criminal that uses medical knowledge/skill in the service of evil.

[@brianclingenpeel5123]

This was a good one! I have never heard of her and that's the major hurdle to get over when it comes to covering true crime stories. Finding interesting cases that haven't been covered by every other true crime killer. Yes, we know Ted Bundy was scary. Doesn't mean I want to hear about it for the 42nd time. Keep up the good work guys!

[@shawnarthur1516]

I agree. Although I think we all have our... favorites (for lack of a better word). I could watch Gary Ridgeway or Jack the Ripper docs all day.

[@melodo80]

Great content as always. Thanks

[@WellINever]

Thank you, Philip 😀

[@rosannacellini2158]

This is indeed a chilling story. It's a wonder she got away with so much, before they finally caught up to her. It's a shame they should have looked into the earlier deaths sooner, maybe some of the lives would have been saved. Jane would of gotten the death penalty, but better yet, she had to spend the rest of her days in an insane asylum, which to me, was worse than death, especially in that era. Thank you for this upload! 👍👍

[@mauricedavis2160]

You definitely did this woman's career justice, at least in my eyes, kudos Sir!!!🙏😢⚖️🤔❣️

[@elvenkind6072]

The REAL scary thing, is not those that was caught like this, but the idea of so many that must have lived their life, and kept killing, with nobody ever suspecting them or nothing causing them to be caught... 😞

[@TheNewMinimum]

Hello! I just found your channel, it's lovely. Nothing makes me feel more alive than the horrors of the past. Thank you.

[@Courier_Jackalope]

Paul, you really need to start doing audio books. Respectfully, I could listen to you read a phonebook and fully enjoy it!

[@susanmolnar9606]

As an RN for many decades this story disgusted me beyond belief. Such amoral people going into the field of caring for humanity.

[@blondegiraffe2023]

Thank you for your service to vulnerable people. It is not an easy job and nurses have my full respect.

[@josephinepeery6938]

Well, Jolly Jane proved to be quite something. A very interesting tale, thank you 😊 👏

[@dauntlessasmr7910]

Fascinating how evil is labelled "insanity."

[@johncmitchell4941]

I'm ok with the term 'moral insanity' as in 'no regard/compassion for human life/suffering. I'll agree that it's still a 'get out of jail free' card for some with the be$t legal help or who'd maybe stumble onto an Atticus Finch .. or a Cousin Vinnie. 😁

[@dreadwolfrising]

I think a large part of it is the patholigizing of cruel behaviour. It's a lot easier for people to label someone as "insane" or mentally ill for committing atrocious acts, than for them to deal with the fact that otherwise seemingly "normal" people are capable of doing terrible things. Don't get me wrong, the modern legal defense of insanity is important if people genuinely can't be held criminally responsible due to severe mental illness or disability, and those people should be put into long term psychiatric care, but the vast majority of people who commit violent crime don't fall into that category. And yet, society still oftentimes labels them as insane, or dangerous due to what they perceive as mental illness, rather than people who simply choose to do horrible, horrible things

[@lynnokrzynski8720]

Yeah, but when it comes to trial time now evil is evil and insanity is a myth.

[@dauntlessasmr7910]

@@lynnokrzynski8720 Even during trials, insanity is still used as an excuse.

[@lynnokrzynski8720]

@dauntlessasmr7910 an excuse but it rarely succeeds as a defense nor does it lead to incarceration in a mental health facility.

[@joline2730]

There is a woman on trial almost as I write this (1/7/23) for killing several babies in her care as a nurse in a hospital. Also remember the Doctor (can't remember name) who killed so many elderly women 😒 It is such a dereliction when you have this power to kill ... but what annoys me more than anything is the fact that these people are not stopped, even when there is such suspicion ... surely they should be 'removed' from their work whilst investigation takes place - or are people so blind they do not want to see what is right before their eyes ... 🥺🥺🥺 Think how many could be saved if people would just stand up and voice their suspicions Sad, so sad, that so many had to die. RIP to the innocent.

[@chynnadoll3277]

Lucy Letby was convicted of murdering 7 preemies and probably many,many more. She’s on trial right now for Baby Girl K. Harold Shipman was a GP who murdered many elderly female patients. He has been described as being the one of the UK’s worst serial killers.

[@marlodt12]

Absolutely intriguing story! I've never heard about this one. I love all the details you find! Keep up the great work!

[@gorillaguerillaDK]

A case with some similarities to this has just been concluded not that far from where I live! A 60 year old woman was convicted last week for 3 incidents of Grievous Bodily Harm, 1 incident of Grievous Bodily Harm resulting in death, and 4 incidents of Attempted Murder, plus theft of medicine, illegal possession of prescription medicine, and of course severe dereliction of duty! She got 16 years! She has appealed to a higher court and is now awaiting for the appeal to start!

[@gohawks3571]

Wow! 😱

[@Harley_Girl68]

Her appeal should have been denied!

[@sharongibbs3364]

Thanks for doing such a thorough and intriguing episode on Jane Toppan. I'm from Massachusetts and lived in both Taunton as well as Bourne. Well done sir truly ❤

[@greenockscatman]

Your research just keeps getting better and better. Remarkable detail, and excellent delivery as always

[@Feline_Frenzy53]

I truly enjoy your stories. You tell them so very well! Thank you.

[@nordicpink]

It amazes me that she got away with the murders for so long.

[@Jay-Leigh]

Gosh, that was so very interesting and also rather sad. Thank you so much I always enjoy your channel.

[@shawnarthur1516]

Fascinating and terrible story. Thank you, your presentation is spectacular.

[@shantibel]

This was fascinating - so well researched and narrated.

[@mariannevontrapp1063]

Well I never, algorithm brought me here, to your channel, and I ❤it!! Love your voice.

[@vh2337]

You are wonderful storyteller, Sir. Well done.

[@lizzieandmocha1131]

When I was a senior in high school, I took a forensics course, and I did a whole presentation on Jane Toppan. She was a fascinating serial killer.

[@veronicado1016]

I absolutely enjoy your videos and your narration is so precise and pristine. Thank you sir and keep up the great work👍😊.

[@grannym2880]

Thoroughly enjoyed this longer episode. Would love more like it. Thanks

[@orchidlilly7518]

I just watched the movie based on real life. "The Nurse". Then I came upon this of another murderous nurse. Thank-you.

[@gowdsake7103]

I love the calm story telling without the un-needed hand wagging that some insist on

[@chelseacallanan6926]

Jane lived with the Toppans in the City I was born in. Lowell, Ma. There is a great write up about how she came to live with them and the house still stands today. If you go a town over, where I grew up, Tewksbury Ma there is a state hospital that used to be a tuberculosis sanitorium. Incredible history in that area.

[@Alex-H-9]

Jane Toppan was a sadistic psychopath. Medical serial killers (aka Angel of death) like Jane can go undetected for qiut protracted periods. Intresting docmentary. 👍

[@connievino4226]

This is an excellent channel. The narrator has a very soothing voice. You get to the point. Thanks, from the U.S.

[@Seeitall728]

As I live in the southcoast next to cape cod and between there and Boston and nearer to Taunton it was great to hear this case!

[@mumsow]

The fact that she had a cheerful nature somehow makes it more perplexing and bizarre.

[@barbaragonzales4575]

Loving your stories ..Fromm British expat living in Australia ❤

[@nokomarie1963]

I live near that graveyard, where the little row of gravestones with very close dates is an odd sight.

[@Emily10210]

It’s interesting to me to think about how someone becomes the kind of person to do these things. First of all, her father experienced psychotic episodes so you’ve got to wonder if she was predisposed to some type of mental illness or if this was because of his alcoholism. And would she have been predisposed to substance abuse and would she have been doing that herself. Then there’s the abuse she must have faced between her father and the woman who raised her after that, and she obviously would not have had access to proper treatment. So you can kind of see how this is a recipe for disaster then after she starts with these crimes she continues to get away with it and gets more and more confident in herself.

[@pou618]

Great storyteller

[@julielevinge266]

As we can’t safeguard against this happening now, must have been horrendous in Victorian times! So much for the good old days??

[@Hiruma312]

sounds like a movie Good Nurse. Actually history always repeats by itself. wonderful story as usual, Paul!

[@racheldoesacrylic4089]

Sir you are a joy to watch with all these cases , it makes my day Thankyou from south London xx

[@universalqueenfern]

Thank you for the captions!

[@nadiaromanovsky-sq3nn]

Thank you. I just love your narrations.

[@GrahamOrm]

Right then, another excellent tale well told Paul. Love your channel. Thank you.

[@Emjay_____71]

Blimey, I want to say, she wouldnt have got away with this these days but sadly it seems thats not true :( Thank You for this story

[@Dogfurforever]

I love this channel Not watched for a while .. no idea why not …binging now on these beautifully told terrifying stories, while doing housework! Top tip : listen to fab content while doing boring tasks! Whoop whoop 🎉🎉

[@laramaaike3050]

I had the same. I watched it many times and all of a sudden not anymore. And don't know either why. I love his voice and the stories are always good and you know they are true and not some whispers.

[@brendagraham4596]

I wonder if this is where the saying came from , I topped him 😮or she topped herself 😱🧐as always a fantastic piece of history,thank you ❤❤

[@straingedays]

I was about to comment that same wondering 🤔?? To top oneself, first appeared in the mid-20th century To top someone, isn't in the same dictionary citations

[@fernandmathurin2720]

Hey Paul how are you doing watching and listening from saint Lucia on another hot slightly windy day here hope all is well with have a blessed day

[@WellINever]

Hey! I'm doing well, though it's still cold and grey here in the UK 🇬🇧☁

[@fernandmathurin2720]

@@WellINever well hope you stay safe and warm I have sunshine here to give away it's such a beautiful day as always here can't complain just might go to the river or sea too chill

[@MrTwotimess]

Fascinating! Thank you very much.

[@jenniferhughes8844]

I love this kind of stuff. Just found your channel very informative ❤❤

[@alanleemaxwell831]

Just discovered your channel and subbed instantly. This one has always puzzled me, a lot of parallels with Mary Anne Cotton...

[@marlodt12]

Thanks!

[@WellINever]

Thank you, Marlo! It's really appreciated 🙏🙂

[@bobbieblue1885]

What a scary and evil woman. There are often still cases of nurses killing patients...

[@rolfsinkgraven]

Great content thnx loved watching it.

[@Ms.HarmonyJ]

Paul another amazing video you an your crew makes it worth it love the facts and interesting side facts

[@WellINever]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@Ms.HarmonyJ]

@@WellINever your welcome can't wait to see another amazing video

[@Ater_Draco]

It's scary how serial killer nurse, Beverly Allitt, displayed do many the same behaviours. Including setting fires

[@mrmrsmarshall9110]

Just love love love your channel ❤ excellent delivery, 100% on the research.

[@leesadexter7187]

Good story I like how you narrated it

[@chrisbowman2030]

Please do a video on Nils Högel! He is supposed to have killed up to 300 people while working as a nurse in Germany. He even was fired because of piling up suspicious deaths on his workplace, but nobody informed authorities.

[@lovingmayberry307]

Another interesting story, ty!

[@justme-tj3jt]

This story is frightening. To know that there is real evil in the world. This woman terrifies me.

[@JuliePerkins-pw7ob]

Thank you Paul!! Love your work and your voice is very pleasant!!

[@gokuxsephiroth4505]

She signed up to help the sick recover, when she herself was irrecoverably sick. Somewhat ironic. This kind of serial killer scares me the most. I've been in hospital, and I remember the wonderful nurses who took such good care of me when I was too feeble to move. It's genuine nightmare fuel to imagine watching her inject something into me with that evil grin (8:14) whilst I'm too weak to fight back.

[@joannerothque1548]

Very interesting and informative.

[@cindysmith6612]

Thank You

[@martincook318]

Wasn't there a similar case in the 1990s, and I do and I also Remember that the Nurse was locked up in a Secure Hospital

[@nataliecooper9872]

This needs to be a mini series

[@wordscapes5690]

Fascinating vids, sir. Thank you.

[@roberthinojosaf8322]

Great write up, very well done

[@flowertrue]

Ugh. This was a rough one to get through! I kept wondering when they would get her!

[@ChantalMonette]

your voice is so soothing I love watching. This was a great story

[@lanacampbell-moore6686]

Jane was a Psycho😳& Thanks W.I.N.❤️

[@robertl4824]

Well Done!

[@WellINever]

Thank you very much, Robert! 😁

[@jameshartsfield8585]

isAs a trained public speaker, I think this narrator is the best in the business.

[@jon9021]

I usually dislike “serial killer” stories, even ones from previous centuries, but I must admit this one was fascinating. I think it would make an excellent movie…certainly better than the drivel that is produced today.

[@deekthefirst]

I would be interested to watch a “well I never” episode on the baby murderer nurse Lucy Letby which is possibly the most heartbreaking and evil case of recent times

[@yzettasmith4194]

Damn, she was cold!

[@sunnyquinn3888]

I wonder how many of the patients she liked would be like "Hey, my favorite nurse, yo! You wanna give me another hit of that opium, that's some good shit!" Lol

[@MoBahar687]

This nurse basically got away with everything.