Nurse Andreas raped unconscious and dying patient – the woman died the same night

A Swedish man employed as a nurse at the County Hospital in Jönköping is charged with suspicion of raping an elderly patient who was both unconscious and in the final stage of her life.

The nurse, Andreas Viktor Nord, 41, has been charged with aggravated rape against an unconscious woman who was receiving end-of-life care at the Ryhov County Hospital in Jönköping.

A colleague sounded the alarm after discovering the man in the patient’s room, at which point the nurse fled the hospital by car and crashed during his attempted escape. Less than six hours after the alleged assault, the woman passed away.

Late in the evening of August 8, an employee at Ryhov County Hospital discovered a male colleague in the room of a female patient in her 70s. The woman was unconscious and receiving palliative care, meaning she was in the final stage of life.

According to the indictment, the nurse subjected the woman to a sexual act comparable to intercourse. Among other things, the man is said to have lain on top of the patient in her hospital bed and rubbed his naked body against her genital area. When a colleague discovered what was happening, the police were contacted.

The prosecutor believes the crime should be classified as aggravated rape because the woman was completely defenseless and the man exploited both her condition and his position as a nurse.

– I assess that the nurse has shown particular recklessness or brutality because the crime was committed while the woman was being cared for in her final stage of life, with absolutely no possibility to defend herself, and that the man exploited his position as a nurse, says Deputy Chief Prosecutor Frida Noldin.

The woman died the same night

Less than six hours after the suspected rape, at around 5:30 am on August 9, the woman died. However, a forensic investigation has shown that her death was caused by her underlying illness, and the alleged assault is not considered to have hastened her death.

In the investigation, police have secured technical evidence which the prosecutor says links the nurse to the act. Among other things, the man’s DNA was found on the woman’s diaper, while the woman’s DNA was found on his body.

Several of the nurse’s colleagues have also been questioned about the incident. The man, who has worked as a nurse for many years and, according to colleagues, had a good reputation, has admitted to the described sequence of events but disputes the prosecutor’s classification of the crime.

– I have no further comments other than he admits the act, but considers it instead to be gross sexual assault. That is the comment we have at this time, says defense attorney Robert Attesjö to Jönköpings-Posten.

Fled the hospital – crashed during police chase

When the nurse found out that a colleague had raised the alarm, he left the hospital by car. According to the indictment, he then drove at high speed through Jönköping and refused to stop despite police signals to do so.

The escape came to an abrupt end at the Ekhagen roundabout, where the man drove into a concrete barrier. He sustained minor injuries and was transported back to the hospital by ambulance.

In addition to the charge of aggravated rape, the man is also charged with gross negligence in traffic. He has been in custody since the end of August and was dismissed by Region Jönköping County in early September. Andreas Nord does not have a prior criminal record.

The hospital has also investigated whether more patients may have been subjected to similar crimes, but according to the prosecutor, nothing has been found indicating further victims.

Minister for the Elderly: “I am furious”

Minister for the Elderly Anna Tenje (M) reacts strongly to the reports, describing the suspected assault as a particularly serious betrayal of a person who was in a completely vulnerable situation.

– I am, frankly, furious to hear this. How staff in healthcare and care services, those who are supposed to be there for, and provide care and security for, patients and the elderly, rape and assault them, she tells Jönköpings-Posten, and continues:

– I am thinking of the woman and her loved ones. No one should have to be subjected to this, and no one’s life should end in this terrible way.

The trial in Jönköping District Court is scheduled for October 28 and 29. If found guilty of aggravated rape, the nurse faces several years in prison. The minimum penalty for the crime is five years’ imprisonment.

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