EPISODE · Oct 28, 2025 · 47 MIN
Dr. Death: Harold Shipman the Serial Killer Doctor - Part 1
from True Criminals · host Audio Bleach Global
What happens when the person you trust most with your life, your family doctor, turns out to be one of the most prolific serial killers in history? In this chilling two-part special of True Criminals, hosts Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero uncover the horrifying story of Dr. Harold Shipman, the GP who murdered more than 200 of his patients while maintaining the façade of a caring, beloved community doctor. Joining them in the studio is Jean Ritchie, co-author of the bestselling book Prescription for Murder, who helped unravel the truth behind Shipman’s deadly secret. Together, they revisit how a respected family doctor from Hyde became a monster in plain sight, a man addicted not only to morphine, but to killing. From the first suspicions and the bungled police investigation to the forged will that finally exposed him, this episode examines how Shipman exploited the deepest trust between doctor and patient, and how his crimes changed the face of British medicine forever. Featuring never-before-heard insights into Shipman’s psychology, his obsession with morphine, and the arrogance that led to his capture, True Criminals reveals how one man’s god complex spiralled into decades of murder, all behind the doors of his surgery. Read Jeans book: Harold Shipman - Prescription for Murder https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prescription-Murder-Story-Harold-Shipman/dp/0751529982 ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up! Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at airup.link/truecriminals. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at www.patreon.com/truecriminals. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at @true.criminals and subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at @skymartinbrunt. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at @helenfospero and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: Andrew Chappell. Music Composition: Chap Mannequin. Artwork: Bleached. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What this episode covers
What happens when the person you trust most with your life, your family doctor, turns out to be one of the most prolific serial killers in history? In this chilling two-part special of True Criminals, hosts Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero uncover the horrifying story of Dr. Harold Shipman, the GP who murdered more than 200 of his patients while maintaining the façade of a caring, beloved community doctor. Joining them in the studio is Jean Ritchie, co-author of the bestselling book Prescription for Murder, who helped unravel the truth behind Shipman’s deadly secret. Together, they revisit how a respected family doctor from Hyde became a monster in plain sight, a man addicted not only to morphine, but to killing. From the first suspicions and the bungled police investigation to the forged will that finally exposed him, this episode examines how Shipman exploited the deepest trust between doctor and patient, and how his crimes changed the face of British medicine forever. Featuring never-before-heard insights into Shipman’s psychology, his obsession with morphine, and the arrogance that led to his capture, True Criminals reveals how one man’s god complex spiralled into decades of murder, all behind the doors of his surgery. Read Jeans book: Harold Shipman - Prescription for Murder https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prescription-Murder-Story-Harold-Shipman/dp/0751529982 ................................................. Shop Air Up here: Treat yourself or someone special to a refreshing twist with Air Up! Enjoy 10% off your order using the code TRUECRIMINALS at airup.link/truecriminals. Explore all their delicious flavours today. Support the Show Listen ad free and access our full catalogue, including a True Criminals coffee mug, on Patreon at www.patreon.com/truecriminals. As an independent podcast, we rely on listener support. You can also donate via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YQVFJR5766BJE Follow True Criminals Follow us on Instagram at @true.criminals and subscribe to our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@True-Criminals. Connect with Martin Brunt Follow Martin on Twitter at @skymartinbrunt. Discover more about his career and the cases he’s covered by reading his book, No One Got Cracked Over the Head for No Reason: Dispatches from a Crime Reporter, available here: https://amzn.eu/d/g1WisSY. Connect with Helen Fospero Follow Helen on Instagram at @helenfospero and check out her podcast, The Convex Conversation, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-convex-conversation/id1510209575. Credits True Criminals is produced by Audio Bleach Global. Visit www.audiobleachglobal.com/truecriminals for more information. Executive Producer: Lee Mann. Producer: Russell Barnes. Audio Production: Andrew Chappell. Music Composition: Chap Mannequin. Artwork: Bleached. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Dr. Death: Harold Shipman the Serial Killer Doctor - Part 1
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