Believed to be one of the most prolific serial killers in modern history. On 31 January 2000, he was found guilty of the murder of 15 patients under his care; his total number of victims was approximately 250. Shipman was sentenced to life imprisonment with the recommendation that he never be released. He died by suicide by hanging on 13 January 2004, a day before his 58th birthday, in his cell at HM Prison Wakefield, West Yorkshire.