Police in Cologne are investigating a suspected homicide inside a hospital’s intensive care unit, after a 75-year-old patient died when another man allegedly tampered with his life-support equipment.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight on Saturday, according to authorities. Both men were being treated in the same intensive-care room. The 32-year-old suspect, described as severely alcohol-dependent, reportedly stood up during the night and manipulated the ventilator of his elderly roommate.
Hospital staff quickly intervened and restrained the younger man as he tried to leave the room — but the 75-year-old could not be revived.
A crime born from addiction?
Preliminary findings suggest the suspect may have acted while in a state of delirium following acute alcohol withdrawal.
Public prosecutor Ulrich Bremer told local media that the patient had been hospitalized for several days due to severe intoxication and subsequently developed alcohol-related delirium, a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause hallucinations, tremors, fever, and seizures.
Medical experts note that delirium tremens usually appears two to four days after the last drink, often accompanied by confusion and erratic behavior.
Psychiatric assessment underway
A court-appointed psychiatrist has already examined the suspect. The preliminary evaluation indicates that the 32-year-old may have been legally incapable of guilt at the time of the act.
Prosecutors said “further danger to others cannot be ruled out.”
On Sunday, the Cologne District Court ordered the man’s temporary placement in a rehabilitation and detox facility pending further investigation.
Meanwhile, police have established a dedicated homicide unit to determine whether the death constitutes manslaughter or murder, and whether hospital procedures were followed correctly during the incident.
Background: alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens
Doctors describe delirium tremens as one of the most dangerous consequences of chronic alcohol dependency. It can lead to sudden confusion, violent behavior, and cardiovascular failure. Without intensive monitoring and medication, patients may pose an unintentional threat to themselves or others — exactly what investigators now suspect happened in Cologne.
The case reignites debate over how hospitals manage patients with severe substance addictions, especially in mixed intensive-care units shared with vulnerable individuals.
