Five key facts about Kimberly Saenz’s crimes

Kimberly Saenz, a nurse at a dialysis clinic in Lufkin, Texas, was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing five patients and attempting to harm others in April 2008. She intentionally injected bleach into patients' dialysis lines, leading to five deaths and several injuries. Her acts shocked the healthcare industry and brought attention to the vulnerabilities of patients under medical care.

Saenz's case will be the focus of the third episode of Snapped season 35, titled Kimberly Saenz. The episode is scheduled to air on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 6:00 PM on Oxygen. The official synopsis reads:

"Numerous patients at a Texas dialysis treatment centre have gone into cardiac arrest, resulting in five deaths in one month. Investigators work with the Centers for Disease Control to expose a chilling connection between the unexplained tragedies."

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Five key details about Kimberly Saenz’s crimes

1) Kimberly Saenz used bleach as a murder weapon

According to the Fourth Court of Appeals, Saenz injected bleach into the dialysis lines of patients, using the clinic's system in a way that was cruel and initially difficult to catch. The Centers for Disease Control confirmed that such exposure could lead to cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, and death.

Forensic tests revealed the presence of bleach in the dialysis lines and syringes used on patients who suffered severe complications. Among the victims were five patients who died: Clara Strange, Thelma Metcalf, Garlin Kelley, Cora Bryant, and Opal Few. The reports from the CDC also identified high levels of 3-chlorotyrosine, a biomarker for chlorine exposure, in the blood of several affected victims.

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2) Witnesses saw her injecting bleach

Two witnesses, Linda Hall and Lurlene Hamilton, testified that they saw Saenz injecting bleach into patients’ dialysis lines. Hall stated that she saw Saenz disposing of the used syringes in the clinic’s sharps container. Hamilton described how Saenz appeared nervous during these actions, raising immediate concerns.

These testimonies were crucial in connecting Kimberly Saenz to the crimes. The clinic administrators isolated the sharps containers, which later tested positive for bleach residue. Investigators used the combination of eyewitness accounts and forensic evidence to build a strong case against Saenz.

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3) Kimberly Saenz's victims were vulnerable dialysis patients

According to the Fourth Court of Appeals, Saenz's victims were already in a very frail condition, relying on regular dialysis to sustain their lives. Her intent to target such a weak group only exacerbated her offenses. For instance, Clara Strange and Thelma Metcalf suffered cardiac arrests shortly after Saenz treated them.

Other victims included Garlin Kelley and Cora Bryant, who initially survived the attacks but later died from complications a few months later. Saenz's exploitation of her victims' reliance on medical care made the betrayal all the more crushing.

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4) Kimberly Saenz attempted to cover her tracks

Saenz tried to conceal her crimes by not recording the treatments and altering records. For instance, during Opal Few's last session, she did not write down the administration of medication, which is an important part of treatment.

At times, she transferred patients to unsanctioned treatment settings. For instance, she unnecessarily lowered the blood flow rates of Clara Strange and Thelma Metcalf, actions that ultimately led to their deaths. These patterns pointed to a determined effort to conceal her wrongdoings.

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5) Her motive remains a mystery

Despite extensive investigation and public trial, the Fourth Court of Appeals stated that no clear motivation for Saenz's crimes has ever been defined. She was not financially motivated, nor did any personal or familial conflicts with her victims appear evident.

The lack of a clear motive adds a chilling element to the case, leaving unanswered questions about why she chose to harm patients entrusted to her care. This uncertainty continues to haunt the victims’ families and healthcare workers who were once her colleagues.

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Viewers who wish to learn more about Kimberly Saenz's case can stream the third episode of Snapped season 35 on Oxygen.