A day after a fatal knife attack on a doctor in Kraków, an autopsy was carried out on the victim. Preliminary findings released by the Kraków District Prosecutor’s Office are deeply disturbing. The orthopedic surgeon sustained multiple wounds to the heart, liver, legs, and arms.
“Some of the stab wounds were as deep as 16 centimeters. They caused damage to vital organs—the heart and liver—which led to extensive blood loss and, ultimately, death,” said Oliwia Bożek-Michalec, spokesperson for the Kraków District Prosecutor’s Office. She also reported the presence of wounds on the victim’s legs and defensive injuries on his hands.
Suspect’s Likely Motive: Dissatisfaction with Treatment
According to the prosecution, the probable motive for the attack was the perpetrator’s dissatisfaction with a medical procedure performed by the doctor some time ago. “The matter had been reviewed by the Kraków Medical Chamber, which found no evidence of medical malpractice,” the spokesperson explained during a press briefing.
Doctor Harassed by the Suspect
She emphasized that no formal complaints had been filed regarding harassment by the 35-year-old suspect. “In January, one informational note was recorded, based on the doctor’s own request. He reported that the suspect had demanded 20,000 PLN as compensation for an alleged medical error,” Bożek-Michalec said.
However, this report did not initiate a formal investigation. Prosecutors noted that while harassment could not be ruled out, the doctor had not reported any such incidents beyond the one note.
Key witnesses have already been questioned, including a patient who was in the consultation room during the attack and several people who were in the hallway.
Brutal Attack
The 35-year-old suspect arrested in connection with the murder has been identified as a member of the Polish Prison Service, Justice Minister Adam Bodnar confirmed. He had worked in the service since 2020, first at the Wronki Correctional Facility, and more recently for about a year and a half at the Katowice Remand Centre.
According to the current investigation, the attack occurred while the doctor was seeing a patient. The suspect suddenly entered the consultation room, expressed anger over a previous medical procedure, brandished medical documents, and then repeatedly stabbed the doctor, including in the chest area. Despite the efforts of more than 20 people, the doctor could not be saved.
The man has been charged with the murder of the doctor and the attempted assault of a nurse who tried to assist the victim. He has not admitted guilt and has refused to give a statement. A court will soon decide whether he will be held in temporary custody.