How necrophiliac ‘morgue monster’ abused 101 dead women undetected in UK

A chilling report reveals David Fuller, also known as ‘The Mortuary Monster’, was involved in a horrific 15-year spree of attacking the bodies of dead women because of ‘serious failings’ at the hospitals where he worked, an inquest has heard.

Fuller, a double murderer, took advantage of his position in morgues at Tunbridge Wells Hospital and the former Kent and Sussex Hospital to attack at least 101 women.

Inquiry chairman Sir Jonathan Michael highlighted “missed opportunities” to stop Fuller’s necrophiliac spree, attributing failures to management, governance gaps, regulatory shortcomings and a lack of adherence to standard policies.

Sir Jonathan Michael said, “Failures of management, governance, regulation, failure to follow standard policies and procedures, together with a persistent lack of curiosity, all contributed to the creation of the environment in which he was able to offend.”

The inquest’s findings highlighted cases of neglect, including dead people being left out of the fridge overnight at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, and Fuller entering a mortuary 444 times a year without checking.

The report made 17 recommendations to prevent similar atrocities, advocating measures such as installing CCTV and mandatory non-mortuary escorts. The investigation highlighted that increased curiosity from colleagues, managers and leaders could have reduced Fuller’s offending.

Known as the ‘Bedsit Killer’, Fuller was arrested 33 years after the murders of Wendy Knell and Caroline Pierce in 1987. A subsequent search of his residence revealed disturbing videos depicting his abuse of the dead women’s bodies over a decade.

Fuller’s heinous acts extended to victims aged between nine and 100, resulting in two life sentences for the murders and additional prison time for 51 other offences, including sexually abusing the bodies of 23 women.