Psychiatric ward patient kills another patient in Corfu hospital

A patient at the psychiatric ward of the General Hospital of Corfu is accused of killing a fellow patient at the state-run facility, police said ον Friday,

The 45-year-old assailant, who is said to be grappling with bipolar disorder and psychosis, allegedly assaulted the victim, a 63-year-old woman who was sleeping.

The man killed her striking her twelve times in the face and neck with a pen and a wooden knife.

The victim had been admitted to the hospital per prosecutor’s order a few hours before she was murdered, local media reported.

Police detained the assailant within a designated area of the hospital.

Emergency medical officials pronounced the victim dead at the scene on Thursday evening.

The circumstances surrounding the homicide are still being investigated, police said.

Reports indicate that the man had previously been admitted to the same facility on multiple occasions.

In a press release, workers at the psychiatric ward said that the bed capacity has recently doubled from original 6 beds, however, without the parallel personnel increase. This circumstances make the monitoring of patients difficult, they reportedly stressed.

The hospital CEO immediately informed the Health Ministry, there has been no official statement, so far, though.