Black Sheep Killer Nurse: the story of Elspeth Kerr (Part 2)
Feb 5, 2026
Scott Bainbridge, author and researcher on the Kerr case, provides historical context and expert commentary. He recounts the discovery of veronal poisoning in nine-year-old Betty and the forensic urine tests that shocked investigators. He outlines exhumations, courtroom drama, questions around motive and addiction, and the lingering mystery of possible additional victims.
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Lab Tests Reveal Deliberate Overdose
- Doctors and police found massive doses of veronil in nine-year-old Betty Kerr, far beyond what a child could accidentally ingest.
- Government urine analysis confirmed verinil/medanil traces after three separate coma episodes, forcing detectives to suspect deliberate poisoning.
Trainee Nurse Finds Empty Medication Tube
- Muriel Rosenfeld, a trainee nurse, found an empty Medanil tube fall from Nurse Kerr's pillows while Kerr was bedridden and taking many tablets.
- Muriel later heard Kerr admit she was taking metanil for sleep, suggesting addiction.
Exhumations Link Multiple Deaths To Veronil
- Exhumations of Charles Kerr and Emma Day showed no brain haemorrhage but high veronil levels, linking multiple deaths to the same drug.
- Inspector Cummings widened the probe after pathology contradicted original causes of death.
