Everett E. "Preacher" Jackson, a 91-year-old white male, passed away on February 4, 2001, at Nocona General Hospital in Nocona, Texas. A lifelong farmer from Terral, Oklahoma, Everett was admitted to the hospital with cellulitis and a fever. His condition was not considered life-threatening, and he was expected to recover. However, during his hospital stay, he died suddenly and unexpectedly.
His death was later determined to be a homicide, caused by an injection of the muscle relaxant mivacurium chloride which induces respiratory arrest when administered improperly.
The perpetrator was Vickie Dawn Jackson, a 36-year-old white female licensed vocational nurse employed at Nocona General Hospital during the time of Everett's death. Notably, Everett was the grandfather of Jackson's estranged husband, Kirk Jackson, who also worked at the hospital as a nurse's aide. This familial connection added a deeply personal dimension to the crime. Jackson's method involved administering lethal doses of Mivacron to patients during her night shifts, leading to a series of unexplained deaths among elderly patients who were otherwise stable or recovering from minor ailments.
Between December 2000 and February 2001, Nocona General Hospital experienced a significant increase in patient deaths, with at least 10 fatalities later attributed to Jackson's actions. The unusual spike in mortality rates prompted hospital officials to investigate, leading to the discovery of missing vials of Mivacron and the realization that the deaths coincided with Jackson's work schedule. A syringe containing traces of the drug was found in Jackson's trash, further implicating her in the crimes.
Jackson was arrested on July 16, 2002, after a grand jury indicted her on multiple counts of capital murder. She was initially charged with four counts, with additional charges added as more evidence emerged. In October 2006, Jackson entered a no contest plea to the charges and was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 40 years. She is currently incarcerated at the Christina Melton Crain Unit in Gatesville, Texas.
The case of Vickie Dawn Jackson stands as a chilling example of a healthcare professional betraying the trust placed in her, leading to the deaths of vulnerable patients, including her own family member. Her actions not only devastated the families of the victims but also shook the small community of Nocona, leaving a lasting impact on all those affected.
