Michael Swango, an American serial killer and former physician, is currently serving three consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole at the ADX Florence supermax prison in Colorado. From a young age, Swango developed a morbid fascination with violent deaths and later became obsessed with the Holocaust, particularly the haunting images of death camps. Throughout his life, he maintained scrapbooks filled with articles and pictures of ghastly disasters and crime scenes. While studying at Quincy University, his interest in poisons grew, leading him to delve into the mysterious poisoning death of Bulgarian writer Georgi Markov. Unfortunately, Swango’s career in medical facilities was marred by his involvement in numerous suspicious deaths, often resulting in his dismissal. Known for administering dangerously high doses of drugs to patients and poisoning his co-workers and acquaintances, Swango’s heinous actions have been linked to an estimated 35 deaths according to the book ‘Blind Eye’ by James B. Stewart. However, the FBI believes that he may be responsible for as many as 60 deaths, solidifying his status as one of the most dangerous serial killers in American history.
Quick Facts
- Nick Name: David J. Adams, Michael Kirk, Jack Kirk, Michael Swan, Dr. Death
- Also Known As: Joseph Michael Swango
- Age: 69 Years, 69 Year Old Males
- Family: father: John Virgil Swango, mother: Muriel Swango
- Serial Killers
- American Men
- More Facts: education – Quincy University
Childhood & Early Life
Joseph Michael Swango was born on October 21, 1954 in Tacoma, Washington to Muriel and John Virgil Swango. His father served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was listed in Who’s Who in Government 1972-1973. Due to his father’s job, the family frequently moved, but eventually settled in Quincy, Illinois in 1968. A few years later, his parents divorced and his father, who had become an alcoholic and suffered from depression, returned from Vietnam.
Education and Military Service
Michael Swango attended Quincy Catholic Boys High School, where he excelled academically and played clarinet in the school band. He then received a full music scholarship to Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. However, after a breakup with his girlfriend, he became reclusive and left college to join the Marine Corps. After completing recruit training, he continued his physical training and received an honorable discharge in 1976.
He later pursued chemistry and biology at Quincy University, where he graduated summa cum laude and received the American Chemical Society Award. He then attended Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, where he faced challenges and controversies during his residency.
Struggles and Controversies
Michael Swango struggled to find residency due to poor evaluations from his dean at SIU. However, he managed to secure a surgical internship at Ohio State University (OSU) Medical Center in 1983. During his time at OSU, nurses noticed that patients frequently died mysteriously when he worked as the floor intern. Despite complaints, a casual investigation cleared him, but his residency offer was later cancelled.
He then worked as an emergency medical technician, but was arrested and convicted for poisoning his co-workers. After his release from prison, he faced difficulties finding employment and faced further controversies due to suspicious deaths and illnesses of those around him.
Arrest and Conviction
Michael Swango changed his name and attempted a residency at Ohio Valley Medical Center, but faced further challenges due to his past. He eventually found a job at Sanford USD Medical Center in South Dakota, where he continued to poison patients. His actions were discovered and he was fired, but he managed to avoid detection by the American Medical Association.
He then found residency at the State University of New York at Stony Brook School of Medicine, but was once again caught poisoning patients. He fled to Atlanta, but was fired from his job after an FBI warning. He then escaped to Zimbabwe and later to Zambia and Namibia, where he continued to find employment in the medical field.
Capture and Imprisonment
In 1997, Michael Swango was arrested at Chicago-O’Hare International Airport while attempting to move to Saudi Arabia. He pleaded guilty to fraud charges and was sentenced to prison. During this time, evidence of his murders was discovered and he was formally indicted in 2000. He pleaded guilty to murder and fraud charges to avoid the death penalty and extradition to Zimbabwe. He is currently serving three consecutive life terms at ADX Florence in Colorado.
Trivia
Michael Swango has been featured on various crime shows, including “Unsolved Mysteries,” “It Takes a Killer,” and “Angel of Death.”