Psychiatrist Arrested: Psychiatrist arrested after 36 of his patients died
According to media reports Friday, a psychiatrist was arrested after 36 of his patients died, 12 of whom passed away due to overdose on prescription medication.
As reported by Al, Doctor Narendra Nagareddy’s office in Jonesorbo, just south of Atlanta, was raided by DEA agents Thursday.
Dr. Nagareddy is accused of violating Georgia’s Controlled Substance Act.
Psychiatrist arrested Narendra Nagareddy
The Clayton County District Attorney said:
“The search warrant [alleges] 36 of his patients have died, 12 of whom were autopsied with cause of death being overdose on prescription medication.”
It was the overdose death of a mother of two young boys that police said led them to Nagareddy.
Audrey Austin suffered a fatal overdose on of the two medications Nagareddy had prescribed her just the day before on February 20, 2014, according to her mother Ruth Carr.
Nagareddy’s arrest warrant focuses on his prescriptions to Austin.
‘She was an addict and he made it very easy for her,’ Carr told WSB-TV.
Austin had only recently left rehab. Carr said Nagareddy’s arrest is a long time coming.
‘I knew that he was doing this with people other than my daughter,’ she said. ‘I knew that she wasn’t the only one.’
It was the overdose death of Audrey Austin, a mother of two young boys, that police said led them to Nagareddy and his eventual arrest on Thursday at his Jonesboro, Georgia office
We went into the doctor’s background and his license was issued in 1999. He’s certified with the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
According to the State Board of Medical Examiners, he has no disciplinary action, no criminal convictions, no medical malpractice suits and no medical settlements.
#DEADLYDOCTOR: A #psychiatrist is arrested after 36 patients dieshttps://t.co/atUL7jZWGK pic.twitter.com/J8PJSBNC42
— WMC Action News 5 (@WMCActionNews5) January 16, 2016
Psychiatrist arrested: 36 Patients Dead
Longtime patients of Nagareddy’s expressed disbelief on social media, some showing concern over having to find a new doctor. Others offered prayers for those affected by the deaths in the case.
One woman who had been a patient at Nagareddy’s practice since she was 17.
“I am so thankful that over the last nine years, while he was killing the people who trusted him, God kept me and my Dad safe,” “I am truly shocked that someone would kill innocent people just to make money. I pray for God to be with the victims families, and for everyone affected by this horrible tragedy and betrayal of trust.”
Psychiatrist arrested
Another patient says:
The staff are rude and not at all helpful. Dr Nagareddy, himself was extremely disrespectful to me. I wold not take my dog to him much less the people I love and are caring for.
This patient wrote:
This dr is nothing but a drug pusher. instead of helping my disorder, he kept me wasted on 7 different drugs. waiting room is always filled, wall to wall, with patients. even with an appt you still would have to wait upwards of 4 hours for your appt everytime u go. super rude staff and an office that opens whenever staff decides to show up. if you want drugs, this is your guy, if you want help keep looking or youll end up in rehab.
A video of this the Psychiatrist’s Arrest can be viewed below.
I’m sure his former patients are expressing grief over finding a new doctor, one that will continue to feed their habit.
The DEA gives out the authorization to prescribe Narcs. This falls on the DEA ultimately.