Serial killer Peter Tobin whose victims discovered under Kent patio died in custody of undiagnosed cancer
Serial killer Peter Tobin was battling cancer at the time of his death, a condition that had remained undiagnosed for years due to his refusal to undergo medical tests, according to a fatal accident inquiry.
Tobin, aged 76, passed away on October 8, 2022, in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, just a month after suffering a fall in his cell at HMP Edinburgh where he was serving three life sentences for the murders of young women who disappeared between 1991 and 2006.
His death came exactly 16 years and one day after his first appearance in Glasgow Sheriff Court on October 9, 2006, for the murder of Polish student Angelika Kluk, 23, whose body was concealed under St Patrick's Church in Glasgow, where convicted sex offender Tobin worked as a handyman.
READ MORE:Names and faces of Kent criminals jailed in August including child sex offender
In July 2007, Tobin was charged with the murder of Vicky Hamilton, 15, who went missing in 1991. Her remains were discovered under the patio of his former Margate, Kent home in November 2007.
The same location also held the remains of Dinah McNicol, 18, a hitchhiker who vanished in 1991 after leaving a rave in the Home Counties.
A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into Tobin's death in custody revealed that he was diagnosed with dementia in December 2020 and suffered from a host of health issues, including strokes, dizziness, and chest pains. He relied on a walking stick and wheelchair for mobility.
The court learned that cancer had been suggested as far back as 2016, but Tobin was "unwilling to undergo testing".
Procurator fiscal depute Richard Brown revealed: "On September 8 2022, Mr Tobin was being held in HMP Edinburgh, his cell was opened by a prison officer to allow him to collect medication."
"Mr Tobin had taken steps without a walking stick, he was reminded he didn't have a walking stick, and he fell and landed on his side."
"The prison officer reported he was in pain but okay, and a nurse and prison officer helped him onto his bed."
Following the incident, Tobin was rushed to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he underwent surgery for a fractured right hip the next day.
Further tests also revealed that he had metastatic prostate cancer and delirium, as well as hospital-acquired pneumonia.
Tobin was informed that his chances of survival were slim and he passed away less than a month after the operation, the hearing was told.
GeoAmey staff reported that he was speaking incoherently shortly before his death which was confirmed at 5.45am on October 8.
Mr Brown continued: "Mr Tobin was seen by the palliative care team and effort was made to make his condition comfortable. Mr Tobin was told it was unlikely he would be discharged from hospital. He had a Do Not Resuscitate Order which meant medical staff could not restart his heart. He was monitored at all times by officers from GeoAmey."
He concluded: "Mr Tobin was in bed and was described as breathing heavily in the early hours. He was speaking incoherently."
At around 4.35am, an officer guarding Tobin went to alert a nurse due to concerns and death was confirmed an hour later.
On October 12 2022, a post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as bronchial pneumonia in a man with a fractured right neck of femur (surgically treated on September 9 2022), generalised vascular disease and prostate cancer. "A review was carried out to see if areas of "learning" could be established.Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss said: "I will be issuing my determination as soon as possible.".
Get more news from KentLive straight to your inbox for free HERE.