Former Nurse Arrested After Two Years for 'Killing His Wife With Insulin'

Nadir Rossi, a 35-year former nurse at the Borgo Roma Hospital emergency room in Verona, has been arrested after two years of investigation for allegedly poisoning his wife with insulin. The suspect faces charges of multiple aggravated homicide, attempted murder, destruction of a corpse through fraudulent cremation, insurance fraud, and continuous embezzlement of medication. He was placed in custody under a precautionary order issued by the judge for preliminary investigations at the Verona court. His victim, Jessica Dalla Chiara, died on June 24, 2024, at the age of 32 in their home in Bussolengo, a town near Verona. Both victims and suspects were nurses; Dalla Chiara worked in integrated home care for the Ulss 9 health authority. The investigation was launched by the Verona Criminal Police Squad following two initial reports. The first came directly from the Integrated University Hospital of Verona in July 2024. Laboratory analysis of the woman’s body revealed that her repeated episodes of hypoglycemia were not caused by natural conditions but by non-therapeutic administrations of insulin. The second trigger for the inquiry was the deep suspicion expressed by Jessica’s parents regarding the true causes of death and the hasty handling of her remains. They noted that the son-in-law had arranged for immediate cremation shortly after the funeral, likely to prevent an autopsy. Prosecutors allege that Rossi systematically attacked his wife’s health while she trusted him completely. The first attempt to kill her reportedly occurred on the night of May 22, 2024. She suffered a cardio-circulatory arrest due to an insulin injection that dropped her blood sugar below critical levels. Emergency services saved her, and she was hospitalized at Borgo Trento. During this stay, which lasted approximately one month, Rossi allegedly continued to inject insulin into her via intravenous catheters. He could access the ward freely outside visiting hours, causing three additional crises. Urine tests conducted on June 8 detected traces of benzodiazepines, possibly administered to induce a state of torpor to facilitate further insulin infusions. She was discharged on Friday, June 21, appearing to have improved. However, her condition collapsed again during the night between Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23. Her heart stopped beating on Monday, June 24, just days after returning home. Investigators found digital evidence on Rossi’s smartphone showing searches related to severe hypoglycemia symptoms dating back to April 2024. Additionally, he wrote an essay titled "The Angels of Death," discussing murders committed with hypoglycemic drugs. Following the death, Rossi allegedly manipulated "last wills" messages on his wife’s phone, expressing understanding for an extramarital affair he had with another woman. He then collected the payout from a life insurance policy taken out by his wife two years before her death. This financial gain is cited as a potential motive for the crime. In November 2025, Rossi attempted suicide in the changing room of the Borgo Roma emergency department. He stole five vials of a fentanyl-based drug and ten vials of morphine. Colleagues found him unconscious with a needle cannula in his arm and farewell letters directed against the judiciary and the hospital administration, which subsequently fired him. Toxicological analysis later determined that the concentrations of fentanyl and midazolam in his system were significantly lower than lethal doses, suggesting the act was staged. The case highlights the complexity of medical crimes within healthcare settings. The investigation relied heavily on forensic toxicology and digital forensics. The couple lived in Bussolengo with their young daughter. Rossi had worked at the Borgo Roma emergency room for four years prior to his dismissal. The legal proceedings are ongoing, with the prosecution led by public prosecutor Alberto Sergi. The judge who ordered the detention was Carola Musio. The family of the victim played a crucial role in prompting the deeper look into the circumstances of her death. The rapid cremation of the body prevented standard post-mortem examinations initially, complicating the early stages of the inquiry. The discovery of the insurance payout and the specific pattern of insulin administration formed the core of the criminal case against the former nurse.