The chilling story of Thomas Kwan, a Sunderland GP with a dark, twisted side, reads like a crime thriller. A respected medical professional, Kwan became the unlikely mastermind behind an elaborate murder plot, driven by greed and entitlement. He sought to eliminate Patrick O’Hara, his mother’s long-time partner, to claim a share of her inheritance.
Kwan, 53, meticulously planned the murder, drawing on his medical knowledge to carry out the attack. Posing as a nurse, he planned to administer a fake Covid booster jab to O’Hara. The syringe contained a dangerous, undisclosed chemical, identified later as a highly toxic substance that could mimic the symptoms of a flesh-eating disease, necrotizing fasciitis. This chemical, which Kwan sourced from a suburban garage filled with hazardous materials like arsenic, mercury, and ricin-making ingredients, was designed to be undetectable and difficult to treat.
Kwan’s plan began with a letter to O’Hara, convincingly fabricated on NHS letterhead, suggesting a home visit for a Covid booster jab. On the appointed day, he arrived at the house under a false identity, wearing a mask and disguise. After performing some initial tests on O’Hara and his mother, Kwan administered the poisoned injection. O’Hara felt immediate pain, and Kwan reassured him with a calming explanation, before leaving the scene.
Despite the severe pain, O’Hara initially thought it was a poorly administered jab. But by the following day, the situation worsened, with blisters forming on his arm. At the hospital, doctors diagnosed him with necrotizing fasciitis, a life-threatening infection. Miraculously, O’Hara survived the ordeal after extensive medical intervention.
A subsequent investigation uncovered Kwan’s disturbing stash of dangerous chemicals and a treasure trove of incriminating materials on his computer, including guides on poisons, murder investigations, and surveillance techniques. His motives were traced back to his mother’s will, which left O’Hara significant control over her estate—sparking Kwan’s deadly rage.
Facing overwhelming evidence, Kwan pled guilty to attempted murder. He now faces a lengthy prison sentence for his premeditated crime. In this case, truth was indeed stranger than fiction, as a trusted doctor turned out to be a dangerous, calculating criminal.
