Alleged "Dr. Death" indicted on felony murder counts
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. - A psychiatrist linked to the deaths of 36 patients has been indicted on three counts of felony murder and 57 charges of unauthorized distribution of controlled substances, reports CBS affiliate WGCL.
Investigators said Doctor Narendra Nagareddy regularly over-prescribed prescription medication for no legitimate reason. Police said at least 12 of the patients that have died have been because of an overdose.
Nagareddy was charged in the deaths of his former patients Audrey Austin, 29, David Robinson, 49, and Cheryl Pennington 47 -- all of whom died of overdoses after allegedly going to Nagareddy, reported the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Thirty-three other alleged victims named in an affidavit were reportedly not presented to this grand jury because they didn't die in Clayton County.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Nagareddy was dubbed "Dr. Death."
In early March, Doctor Nagareddy told WGCL, "I'm an honest man...I look after all the severely mentally ill patients, please understand, sir."
Court records obtained by WGCL allege the doctor was not properly taking care of his patients at his Jonesboro office. A search warrant shows investigators used surveillance evidence and undercover operations to dig into the alleged "pill mill" run at Psychiatry Associates of South Atlanta.
Records reportedly alleged patients have received medication "without presenting previous medical records, MRI's, x-rays, or prescription records."
Despite being a licensed medical doctor in the field of psychiatry, investigators wrote in their report that Nagareddy "routinely prescribed narcotic controlled substances for pain, which is outside of the normal course of his practice."
Police arrested Nagareddy at his home. He is being held without bond.
A court date has been set for July 7.