Lethal injection was meant to be a humane execution method, but when the drugs don’t work as intended, it can turn into a prolonged nightmare. In this episode of The Medicine Murders, Dr. Meredith Beavin and cohost Andy explore two of the most horrifying botched execution; Clayton Lockett, who woke up mid-execution, and Joseph Wood, who gasped for air over 600 times before dying. We break down the history of execution methods, the science behind these drugs, and why lethal injection isn’t as painless as it seems.

📩 Email: medicinemurderspod@gmail.com

🎙 Listen on:

• Spotify: The Medicine Murders
• Apple Podcasts: The Medicine Murders
• YouTube: The Medicine Murders
• Instagram: @TheMedicineMurdersPod

• Denno, D. W. (2014). Lethal Injection Chaos Post-Baze. Georgetown Law Journal, 102(6), 1331-1406.
• Koniaris, L. G., Zimmers, T. A., Lubarsky, D. A., & Sheldon, J. P. (2005). Inadequate anesthesia in lethal injection for execution. The Lancet, 365(9468), 1412-1414.
• The Death Penalty Information Center (www.deathpenaltyinfo.org)
• Oklahoma Department of Corrections – Execution Reports
• Arizona Department of Corrections – Execution Logs
• U.S. Supreme Court Cases on Lethal Injection (Baze v. Rees, Glossip v. Gross)
• Eyewitness Testimonies from Journalists & Legal Observers
• Official State Execution Protocols
• NPR, The Guardian, and The New York Times reports on botched executions

Welcome to The Medicine Murders, the podcast where true crime meets pharmacology.

In this episode, we unravel the horrifying case of Dr. Harold Shipman—a trusted physician who became one of history’s most prolific serial killers. Over two decades, Shipman used his medical authority to quietly take the lives of at least 215 patients, exploiting the very trust that defines the doctor-patient relationship.

How did he get away with it for so long? What finally exposed him? And how did the drug he used—morphine—become both a life-saving medicine and a silent weapon?

After diving into the shocking details of his crimes, we shift gears to Talk Nerdy and explore: 🔬 How morphine works and its medical uses 💊 The dangers of opioid overdose ⚠️ The role of pharmacists in preventing prescription abuse 🚔 The safeguards in place to track controlled substances

If you love true crime with a scientific twist, don’t miss this deep dive into medical murder and the drugs that made it possible.

🎧 Listen on: ✅ Spotify: The Medicine Murders ✅ Apple Podcasts: The Medicine Murders ✅ YouTube: The Medicine Murders ✅ Instagram: @themedicinemurderspod

📩 Got a case suggestion or thoughts on the episode? Email us at medicinemurderspod@gmail.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review, subscribe, and share—it helps more listeners discover the show!

Sources:

• The Shipman Inquiry Reports – Official UK government reports on the investigation into Shipman’s crimes. Available at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20090808154959/http://www.the-shipman-inquiry.org.uk/
• "Prescription for Murder" by Brian Whittle & Jean Ritchie – A detailed book examining Shipman’s crimes, how he was caught, and the legal response.
• BBC News Archives – Various reports from the time of Shipman’s arrest, trial, and the public reaction to his crimes. Search: "Harold Shipman BBC"

Sources on Morphine & Opioids:

• U.S. National Library of Medicine – Morphine Drug Profile (MedlinePlus)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Opioid Basics (CDC Opioid Overview)
• World Health Organization (WHO) – Guidelines on the Use of Morphine for Pain Management (WHO Guidelines)
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – The Science of Opioids (NIDA Opioid Research)

Sources on Prescription Monitoring & DEA Regulations:

• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Controlled Substance Regulations (DEA Diversion Control)
• U.S. Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) – Overview & State-Specific Information (PDMP Clearinghouse)

• American Pharmacists Association (APhA) – Guidelines for Dispensing Controlled Substances (APhA Guidelines)

In this gripping episode of The Medicine Murders, we explore a case that shook the medical and legal world—the 1998 Wyoming murder-suicide committed by Donald Schell just 48 hours after starting the antidepressant Paxil (paroxetine).

Was this a tragic consequence of untreated mental illness, or did the medication itself play a role? We dive deep into: 🔬 How SSRIs work and their impact on brain chemistry ⚖️ The landmark lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline ⚠️ The controversies surrounding SSRIs, impulsivity, and aggression 💊 The risks, benefits, and hidden side effects of antidepressants

Join us as we unravel one of the most shocking cases in pharmaceutical history, where science, psychiatry, and the law collided.

🔊 Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and follow @MedMurdersPod on Instagram and The medicine murders on Youtube for more!

Sources:

1. Mechanism of Action of SSRIs:

• Mayo Clinic: Provides an overview of how SSRIs function by blocking the reabsorption (reuptake) of serotonin in the brain, making more serotonin available. mayoclinic.org

2. The Donald Schell Case:

• ABC News: Reports on the lawsuit where the family of Donald Schell sued the manufacturer of Paxil, alleging the drug was responsible for a murder-suicide. abcnews.go.com
• The Guardian: Discusses the case where Don Schell, after taking an antidepressant, killed his family and himself, leading to a significant legal verdict. theguardian.com

3. Side Effects and Controversies:

• MDPI: Discusses the adverse effects associated with SSRIs, including sexual dysfunction and emotional blunting. mdpi.com
• Psychiatric News: Highlights legal cases and debates surrounding SSRIs and their potential links to violent behavior. psychiatryonline.org

4. Additional Information:

• Wikipedia: Provides a comprehensive overview of SSRIs, including their development, uses, and controversies.