‘Angel of Death’ Orville Lynn Majors dies in prison at 56

Monday, September 25, 2017
Orville Lynn Majors

MICHIGAN CITY -- Orville Lynn Majors, the so-called “Angel of Death” serial killer, has died in prison while serving a 360-year sentence for six west-central Indiana homicides committed while a nurse at Vermillion County Hospital.

The Indiana Department of Correction Monday afternoon issued a press release saying Majors, 56, of Linton, experienced fatal medical problems Sunday afternoon at the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City.

Although only tried for six murders, Majors was thought to have been responsible for as many as 120-130 deaths during the period 1993-95, including the death of Greencastle pharmacist Fred Miller, husband of Judy Miller.

“I guess that part of history is now laid to rest,” Judy Miller told the Banner Graphic Monday afternoon upon hearing of Majors’ death from her son Thomas.

According to IDOC officials, Majors was discovered breathing heavily and quickly became unresponsive.

The Michigan City correctional staff performed CPR and applied an automated external defibrillator before giving way to LaPorte County EMS. Paramedics continued CPR after Majors was taken to the custody hall at Michigan City.

The LaPorte County coroner pronounced Majors dead at 5:11 p.m. Sunday at Franciscan Health Hospital.

Preliminary findings from an autopsy completed Monday showed cardiac issues with death due to natural causes.

With a 360-year sentence from Clay County for six murder convictions being served consecutively, Majors’ earliest projected release date had been July 1, 2177.

A licensed practical nurse, Majors joined the Vermillion County Hospital staff in May 1993, and the rural 55-bed hospital soon began to experience 25 to 30 patient deaths per year after Majors was hired, testimony at his Clay County trial indicated. That number reportedly soared to more than 100 in 1994.

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  • He was an evil murderer. Glad he is dead.

    -- Posted by Queen53 on Mon, Sep 25, 2017, at 10:01 PM
  • Why is this such big news? Saves the tax payers a ton of money for housing such a sick evil person.

    -- Posted by putnamcountyproud on Tue, Sep 26, 2017, at 12:49 PM
  • Sometimes there is good luck

    -- Posted by becker on Tue, Sep 26, 2017, at 12:55 PM
  • I see that Judy Miller's post has been deleted. What happened???

    -- Posted by donantonioelsabio on Tue, Sep 26, 2017, at 4:35 PM
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