Doctor accused of killing Rigaud octogenarian acquitted

Hawkesbury General Hospital physician Dr. Brian Nadler was finally acquitted of charges of first-degree murder and criminal negligence causing death by the Ontario Superior Court on Tuesday, July 2. 

He was facing murder charges in connection with the deaths of four patients: Albert Poidinger, 89, Claire Brière, 80, of Rigaud, Lorraine Lalande, 79, of Hawkesbury and Judith Lungulescu, 93, of East Hawkesbury Township.

The acquittal was handed down by Judge Kevin Philips on the first day of the trial, even though the Crown had not heard any witnesses or presented any evidence, due to an earlier ruling that precluded it. 

The doctor had been arrested in March 2021 for the first death, before being released four months later under strict conditions. At the time of writing, it is not known whether Dr. Nadler will resume his practice at Hawkesbury General Hospital.  

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