Chapter 11
Jack Thompson was a couple of inches under six feet and probably 150 pounds heavier than he should have been. Pale in a pasty, waxy sort of way.
How a guy who looked as unhealthy as he did could be the CEO of a major hospital, charged with the community’s health and welfare, was a question the Vegas media had never asked. At 47, he was most likely the youngest CEO in Vegas history, much less of its largest hospital.
University Medical Center ran on Clark County’s biggest departmental budget and was the only department that generated positive cash flow. The pitiful revenue from traffic tickets barely covered the sheriff’s office insurance bill.
Watching him read a prepared statement from the podium, Bill could guess how Jack got to be CEO so young. Sharply professional, measured, and soul-less. His photo was probably in the dictionary next to cold-hearted corporate asshole. This was a guy who always managed to get things done, even when all reasonable options had been exhausted.
A man with two faces. The first, caring and relaxed, worn while walking the halls and glad-handing the “little people” who kept the place running. To Jack, “little people” included doctors, department heads, consultants—anyone not part of his inner circle.
Jack’s second face reminded some of his admin staff of an African ceremonial mask carved from oak. Like a seasoned parent, he could shift gears without thinking—lowering his voice, glancing over the top of his glasses, raising an eyebrow just slightly. When he turned that look on you in a conference room, the one they all called the "eye lasers," words like not sure and maybe quickly became yes, of course.
On this Monday morning, just before lunch, Jack was delivering a perfunctory, yet deeply caring, response to a newspaper article in the previous day’s Review-Journal. He had summoned the usual suspects for a routine press conference—and noted with pleasure that even fewer reporters had shown up than had bothered calling for comment.
Good, he thought. Maybe this’ll blow over with minimal effort.
“We have been working closely with the State Department of Health during their investigation. It is my understanding that the investigation into missing narcotics is in its early stages, and so-called 'mercy killing' is only one possibility—and a preposterous one at that. I can assure you that everyone at this facility has complete confidence in the professionalism and commitment of our nursing staff, and in our continued ability to deliver the same high standard of care that the community expects. There have always been strict safeguards in place regarding the disposal of narcotics. We will continue to be vigilant while investigating these allegations internally. Thank you for your time.”
Jack Thompson turned and walked away from the podium before most people even realized he was done.
In the adjoining back room, he turned to his aides, who were loyally trailing behind.
“Get to the bottom of this mess now. Don’t fire anyone yet but start building files. I want sacrificial lambs ready when the time comes. One nurse, one manager, maybe even a doctor. We’ll throw them to the media wolves. I’ll be damned if I’m going down for this shit. And find out who the hell Gage Caswell is—and where he got his information.”
“Yes, sir. Yes, sir,” they replied as they scattered.
Sunday Las Vegas Review-Journal Gage Caswell County-Sponsored Mercy Killing?
A staff member at our county hospital, requesting anonymity, confirmed that the County Department of Health is actively investigating possible mercy killings carried out by nursing staff.
Allegations came to light after three registered nurses were arrested on Fremont Street for disorderly conduct. While details remain unclear, alcohol was reportedly involved. The three were released on their own recognizance after offering cooperation during arraignment before County Judge Alfred Peckinger, according to court records.
The nurses' names were not released, due to a gag order placed by Judge Peckinger at the request of Health Department investigators.
Officials confirmed an open investigation involving hospital staff but declined to provide details. Hospital administrators could not be reached for comment.
Court filings show that the Department of Health applied for three exhumations, but efforts have so far been blocked due to a lack of required family consent. It remains unclear whether the exhumations are directly related to the hospital case. The Coroner’s Office declined to comment.
The anonymous hospital source who first leaked the case denies personal involvement but claims to know nurses who are involved. The source says the Health Department became suspicious while investigating irregularities in how narcotics were being signed out.
According to one insider, potentially lethal narcotics that should have been wasted—poured down the drain—were instead used to kill patients.
The victims were all terminally ill and suffering from painful conditions, the source said.
How many nurses, and how many victims, remain unclear.
We will continue monitoring for developments in these disturbing allegations.
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