Over 200 Claims Filed by Relatives in Morgue Abuse Case Involving David Fuller
More than 200 relatives of individuals victimized by necrophiliac killer David Fuller have filed compensation claims through a voluntary scheme managed by the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and the Department of Health and Social Care. Fuller, from Heathfield, East Sussex, was convicted in 2021 for abusing the bodies of over 100 deceased women across two Kent hospital mortuaries over a span of 12 years.
NHS Resolution has been processing these claims, with some already resolved, according to Miles Scott, the NHS Trust's chief executive. Fuller’s actions, which came to light after his arrest in 2020 for the 1987 murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce, led to the discovery of a vast collection of indecent images and footage stored on hard drives hidden within his home. The recordings included disturbing content of Fuller committing abuses in hospital mortuaries, with some folders labeled with victims’ names.
Kent and Sussex Hospital, now closed, and its successor, Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury, have since enhanced security measures in their mortuaries, including CCTV monitoring in certain areas. However, due to privacy, CCTV does not cover the autopsy process.
Scott emphasized the Trust's support for affected families, noting that responses to the compensation scheme varied. “Some families have chosen that they still want support, and we will provide that,” he explained, while acknowledging that others preferred no further contact. The compensation scheme, which closed in April 2024, has aimed to balance these diverse needs.
Fuller received two life sentences for the murders and an additional 16-year sentence for mortuary abuses. The final inquiry report on his crimes is expected later this year.
Source: BBC
Compensation Settlements Reached for Families of Necrophiliac Killer's Victims
A significant portion of the compensation claims filed by relatives of individuals victimized by convicted necrophiliac David Fuller have now been resolved, according to NHS Resolution. Fuller, a resident of Heathfield, East Sussex, was sentenced in 2021 after he filmed himself abusing the bodies of over 100 deceased women across two Kent mortuaries over a 12-year period.
Out of 255 claimants, 167 have reached settlements with the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, per NHS Resolution's recent update. The organization stated that “the compensation scheme is designed to provide a swift and compassionate response to families,” with interim payments issued to eligible claimants.
The scheme, established in cooperation with the Department of Health and Social Care, allowed families to voluntarily seek reparations. It officially concluded in April 2024. NHS Resolution has not disclosed exact figures due to the sensitive nature of these claims, though reports suggest compensation ranged from £7,500 to £18,000 per claimant.
Fuller’s criminal acts initially came to light following his arrest in December 2020 for the 1987 murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce. A search of his home revealed extensive collections of indecent images and footage, including videos of himself abusing corpses in the hospital mortuaries. Investigations found footage documenting abuses in Tunbridge Wells Hospital and the now-closed Kent and Sussex Hospital, spanning from 2007 to late 2020. Some of his labeled folders contained images of minors among the deceased.
Fuller is serving two life sentences for the murders of Knell and Pierce, alongside an additional 16-year sentence for abusing corpses.
A spokesperson from NHS Resolution stated, “We have great sympathy with those affected by the heinous actions of Fuller. We are working with families to finalize compensation for complex cases, especially those involving multiple close relatives, as expediently as possible.”
The final report from an inquiry into Fuller’s crimes is expected to be published later this year.
Source: BBC
