United States of America

FELTNER
Jeffrey Lynn

Active from 1988-1989 in Florida

Dispatch
Books
Statistics

DID YOU KNOW...
Confession Fact

Feltner called a hotline and said he would kill again

Motherly Fact

Feltner once worked in the same nursing home as his mother

Sad Fact

Feltner also made false confessions

THE DISPATCH

The Beginning

In July of 1988, serial killer Jeffrey Lynn Feltner anonymously called a crisis line and television station to confess. He claimed to have killed three women and two men as a nurse’s aide in a Nursing Home. He said they were mercy killings. The caller also warned that he would probably kill again. Police questioned Feltner, but, because of the lack of evidence, nothing further happened in the investigation. the investigation was put on hold. Another call came in, confessing to the attempted murder of another patient. When authorities investigated the claims, the evidence found actually contradicted the caller’s claims.

Feltner was arrested and charged with making harassing phone calls, trespassing, and filing a false report. He was found guilty on all charges and spent four months in jail. After his release, he continued killing.

The Murders

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.
Bernice Olsen
  • February 07, 1988
  • Melrose, Florida

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.

Lathan Thornton
  • February 08, 1988
  • Melrose, Florida

Lathan Thornton, 82, died February 8, 1988 in Melrose. Thornton was a Floridian who had lived most of his life in the Gainesville area. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and was a member of the R.T. Schafer Lodge 350 F&AM in Gainesville, the Morocco Temple Shrine. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.
Sarah (Sara) F. Abrams
  • February 10, 1988
  • Melrose, Florida

Sarah F. Abrams was 75 when Feltner murdered her in her New Life Acres home. She was neither bedridden or suicidal, as Feltner would later claim. Abrams was an active senior, able to walk and dance, and her problems were generally with senility. When she was found, family members saw bruising around her nose and mouth, and requested an autopsy. However, officials said the death was not suspicious and did not perform an autopsy.

More than a year after her death – and after Feltner made incriminating statements – her body was exhumed. The autopsy showed she had been smothered and her ribs broken.

Rita May Sugrue
Rita May Sugrue
  • February 18, 1988
  • Melrose, Florida

Rita May Sugrue, 63, died on February 18, 1988. Despite admitting to his murder, Feltner was never charged.

gBernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.
William H. James
  • April 06, 1988
  • Melrose, Florida

William H. James, a war veteran, was 73 years old, living in New Life Acres. Feltner would later claim that on April 6, 1988, he suffocated James. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.
Feltner Anonymously Confesses
  • In July, 1988
  • Alachua County, Florida

In July, 1988, Feltner anonymously called a crisis line and confessed to killing a resident at the New Life Acres nursing home. He said he had killed five residents of the home, and would kill again. “I’m getting notions again. I want to stop, but I feel for the patients and their pain,” he said.

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.
Doris Moriarty
  • July 11, 1989
  • Daytona Beach, Florida

Doris Moriarty was 83, living in Clyatt Memorial Center, Daytona Beach. She had lived in the nursing home for three years before dying. Her death on July 11, 1989 was not considered suspicious at the time.

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.
Ruby P. Swisher
  • July 27, 1989
  • Ormond Beach, Florida

Ruby P. Swisher was 81 years old. On July 27, Feltner killed the woman. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.
Feltner Anonymously Calls Media
  • August 09, 1989
  • Daytona Beach, Florida

Feltner lived on Main Street, in Dayton Beach, above a bar. In August 1989, he suffered a mental health crisis, and he sought help at a centre. He called WESH-Channel 2’s office, claiming his name was Jack and that a friend had told him he had killed at least seven patients. Assignment Editor Kent Morton said Jack called back on August 9, 1989, and repeated the story. Morton told Jack to call the police, while Morton himself did the same.

Arrest & Trial

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.
Clyatt Memorial Calls Police
  • August 10, 1989
  • Daytona Beach, Florida

Feltner had been fired for failing to show up for work on July 15 and 16. Feltner’s roommate called to say that Feltner had just admitted suffocating patients. The nursing pool told William Powell, Clyatt Memorial’s administrator, who in turn called police on August 10, 1989. Powell informed them Feltner was working when Moriarty died, and had told a nurse that she ought to check on the woman.

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.
Feltner Pleads Guilty
  • January 9 & 13, 1990
  • Palatka, Florida

During the trial, Feltner’s testimony changed. While he had originally confessed, he later recanted. Feltner claimed he made dramatic lies to expose neglect and abuse in Florida nursing homes.

On January 9, 1990, during the trial, Feltner pled guilty to the first-degree murder of Abrams. In return, he was given a 25-life sentence, rather than face the death penalty. As part of the agreement, he would plead guilty to the murder of Moriarty on January 13, 1990.

Feltner’s mother would claim that her son confessed only because he had AIDS and wanted his life to end quickly. 

Killer’s Death

Jeffrey Lynn Feltner died of natural causes, AIDS, at age 30 on March 17, 1992 while in Florida State Prison.

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BOOKS

Books about medical killers, which include Jeffrey Lynn Feltner

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.

Inside the Minds of Healthcare Serial Killers: Why They Kill by Katherine Ramsland

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Praeger; 1st edition (Aug. 30 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0275994228
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0275994228

In 2004, Charles Cullen was arrested and charged in the deaths of more than 30 patients in his care. Crossing several jurisdictions in seven counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, he was stopped after a fifteen-year spree at ten institutions. While many people do not think of healthcare workers as serial killers, their profession is disproportionately represented among the serial killer population, and they tend to be more prolific than other serial killers, having more opportunities, better cover, and easy alibis. Healthcare professionals who kill have learned how to exploit the atmosphere of trust in the healthcare community and to hasten deaths that may go unnoticed in an already vulnerable arena. This book delves into the world of the healthcare serial killer, looking at the special characteristics of the different groups of murderers, the motives, the methods, and the outcomes.

Crime specialists have long suspected that many healthcare serial killers have gone undetected. Because it is easier to cover up their crimes, it is harder to uncover that a crime has even been committed. Here, Ramsland identifies some of the warning signs that a serial killer may be on the loose in a healthcare setting. Further, she offers suggestions for reform in the healthcare and criminal justice communities that would help identify potential killers before they have a chance to strike, or strike again. Using numerous real-life cases in every chapter, she provides a fuller picture of this most deadly type of serial killer and helps readers understand how they work, and how they can be stopped.

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.

The Will To Kill: Making Sense of Senseless Murder by James Fox, Jack Levin, Kenna Quinet

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sage Publications; 5th edition (April 30 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1506365965
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1506365961

The Will to Kill: Making Sense of Senseless Murder explores extraordinary and seemingly inexplicable cases of homicide—not to sensationalize them—but to educate you about these crimes.

Authored by renowned experts, the Fifth Edition places recent crimes in context by reviewing current homicide laws, introducing the latest theories that seek to explain murder, and presenting up-to-date statistical data that identify homicide patterns and trends.

You will develop a foundational understanding of a variety of topics, for example, domestic and workplace homicide, cult and hate killings, murders committed by juveniles, and serial slayings.

You will also examine various criminal justice responses to homicide, including the strategies and tactics employed to apprehend, prosecute, and punish killers.

New to the Fifth Edition Up-to-date research and data offers you the latest statistics on homicide patterns and trends in recent years. New illustrative cases cover various forms of homicide, focusing on crimes that drew significant interest from the public and policymakers alike and provide you with unique insights into violent behavior.

Updated coverage of recent controversies, legislative changes, and Supreme Court decisions includes heightened concern over mass shootings, hate-motivated homicide and terrorism; new laws, shifting policies, and Supreme Court rulings pertaining to gun rights, juvenile offenders and the death penalty; and advances in surveillance technology, computer-aided investigation, and DNA forensic testing.

Early introduction of theories helps you to understand the definition of homicide/homicide laws before developing a theoretical framework to explain violence.

Bernie (Berniece) Katherine Olsen was 69 years old when she died on February 7, 1988. The retired schoolteacher had lived in Florida, closer to her sister, for only six months before passing away. Her death was originally attributed to Alzheimer’s disease. Despite admitting to his murder, as part of a plea deal, Feltner was never charged.

Medical Murderers: From the Files of True Detective Magazine by Rose Mandelsberg

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zebra – Kensington (Nov. 16 1993)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1558175822
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1558175822

Describes twenty-five actual cases in which doctors, surgeons, and nurses murdered their patients, exploring the psychological forces that can change a compassionate healer into a sadistic killer.

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THE STATS
deaths attributed to Feltner
0
cm in height
130
days from first to last murders
500

Statistical table for Jeffrey Lynn Feltner

Killer NameFELTNER, Jeffrey Lynn
GenderM
Arrest DateAugust , 1989
Conviction DateJanuary 9, 1990
Sentence25-life term; 17 years
Birth DateNovember 21, 1962
Death DateMarch 17, 1993
DeceasedYes
Cause of DeathNatural causes - AIDS
Height160
Physical IssueHIV as an adult
Suffer Physical Abuseclaimed abuse
Suffer Physical Abuseclaimed abuse
Teasedyes due to height
Firedyes, at end of killings but before arrest
Job TypesAide, Nursing home where his mother worked at age 16
Labour TypeBlue
Employment StatusActive
Sexual Preferencegay
Killer TypeMedical/Angel of death, Stationary
Psychologyfrequently confessed to murders where he could not have committed the crimes
Institutionalizedpossibly in a mental health center at time of arrest
comment1Hospital nurse who smothered patients; bodies cremated by time he came forward
comment2Claimed he was saving patients from painful and debilitating lives, but at least one woman had only minor medical issues
Total Dead Victims5
Victims (Confessed)3
Victims (Convicted)2
False Claimsyes
Victim GenderVarious
Victim RaceWhite, Unknown
Victim Age75, 63, 73, 83, 81
Victim Typepatients
Victim Type 2residents of health care facility
Method of Killingsuffocation
EfficientYes
Body - Left, Not HiddenYes
Body - Stored Near KillerYes
Previous Crimescharged with making harassing phone calls, trespassing & filing false report after confessing to an attempted murder that did not appear to happen

Killer Rating

5/5

RESOURCES

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Last updated on 15 June 2022 by E. Kelly Hemingway