'You’re the monster no one see’s coming': Nurse who killed several at military hospital learns is sentenced

A nurse who admitted to killing at least seven people at a military hospital will spend the rest of her life behind bars. 

Reta Mays, who pleaded guilty to seven counts of second-degree murder and one count of assault with intent to commit murder, was sentenced on May 11 to life in prison. She worked at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia, until she was caught. 

She started as a nurse in June 2015 and intentionally gave medications to diabetic patients that led to their deaths. She killed the patients in 2018 and was later removed as a nursing assistant. 

The killing spree led to anger and confusion in the small Appalachian city.

Norma Shaw is the widow of George Shaw, who was one of Mays’ victims, and she spoke during the hearing, according to the media reports, and said her family first believed the death was due to national causes. 

But, then they learned the truth and had to keep it secret for a year. 

“He was everything to me,” Shaw said. “In my heart I know I need to forgive her for what she did, and someday I will, but not today. I know that judgement will come one day.”

Amanda Edgel, whose father-in-law Archie was one of Mays’s victims, also spoke during proceedings, according to the reports. 

“We will forever miss him. I will never understand why you, Mrs. Mays, decided to play God,” she said. 

Mays also addresses her actions and cried as she apologized to the victims.

“There’s no words I can say that can offer the families any comfort,” Mays said. “I can only say I’m sorry for the pain I caused them and my family.”

U.S. District Judge Thomas Kleech blasted Mays for her actions as he handed down the life sentence. He noted that many of the people she killed were from the so-called “greatest generation.”

“You’re the worst kind. You’re the monster no one see’s coming,” Kleech said.