When medicine turns into a murder weapon, even the most trusted doctor can become the ultimate threat. In this episode of The Medicine Murders, we uncover the chilling true crime story of Dr. Richard J. Schmidt, a respected Louisiana physician whose twisted need for control led to an unprecedented act of biological warfare.

This groundbreaking case shocked the world and changed forensic science forever. Using cutting-edge viral RNA sequencing, investigators unraveled a horrifying tale of obsession, betrayal, and a crime carried out with surgical precision.

Join us as we explore: 🔬 The calculated plan involving an HIV- and hepatitis C-contaminated syringe ⚖️ The groundbreaking forensic science that exposed the truth 💔 Janice Trahan’s harrowing fight for survival—and for justice

Stay tuned for our signature Talk Nerdy segment, where we explain how HIV works, its impact on the immune system, and how science has advanced in the fight against this deadly virus.

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📧 Case tips or personal stories? Email us—contact info and sources are in the show notes.

Listen now — because in the hands of the wrong person, even medicine can become a weapon.

Sources

1. Wikipedia - Richard J. Schmidt Case Overview https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_J._Schmidt
2. The New York Times - Landmark HIV Forensic Case Coverage https://www.nytimes.com (Search for articles on Dr. Richard J. Schmidt's trial and forensic breakthrough)
3. CNN Archives - Legal Case Reports https://www.cnn.com (Search for Richard J. Schmidt HIV trial)
4. Baylor College of Medicine - Forensic Science Studies https://www.bcm.edu (Research articles on viral RNA sequencing)
5. The Journal of Forensic Sciences - Case Analysis and Use of Viral RNA Sequencing https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com (Search for HIV forensic case reports)
6. Science Direct - Molecular Virology and Forensic Applications https://www.sciencedirect.com
7. FindLaw Legal Database - Trial Summaries and Court Transcripts https://www.findlaw.com (Search for court documents on Louisiana v. Richard J. Schmidt)
8. Louisiana Supreme Court Archives - Case Files https://www.lasc.org