Episode 3: Doctor Death

Doctor Death

Michael Swango

Most people who become doctors do so to help people, but not Joseph MIchael Swango, born on October 21, 1954 in Tacoma, Washington. His fascination with death led him to poison colleagues and kill patients wherever he worked. Today, as Michael Swango sits in a Colorado prison, we discuss his life, crimes, and family history.

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Excellent timeline and map of Michael Swango’s activities up until 1997

Source: Daily Press, 2 Aug 1997

Kristin Lynn Kinney in happier times with Michael Swango

Source: Findagrave.com

Lt. Col. John Virgil Swango (1914-1982)
Source: TCU yearbook, 1965

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Michael’s senior high school picture

Source: Christian Brothers Catholic Boys School (Quincy, IL) yearbook, 1972

Charles A. Hamilton (1861-1944)

Aaron Bruce (1822-1906) and Mary Anne (Bruce) Walters (1826-1920) and their children at their home in Edina, Missouri, 1893

Elijah Swango’s Civil War record that shows where he goes missing and then it is determined he’s a prisoner of war.

James Swango (ca 1762-ca 1827) pardoned at the last minute.

Source: Kentucky

Source: The Odessa American (TX), 6 Feb 1994

Swango had a girlfriend before Kinney, Rita Dumas, who defended Michael.

Source: Marysville Journal Tribune, 20 Aug 1985

Rita Dumas

News Journal, 25 Sep 1985

Swango Released

This picture accompanied articles after Swango was released from prison , after two years. He served time for poisoning co-workers at the Adams County (IL) Ambulance Service.
Source: Daily News, 22 Aug 1987

Source: The Newark Advocate, 4 Apr 1986

Source: Daily Press, 28 Nov 2000

Source: Daily Press, 28 Nov 2000

CORRECTIONS:

During the episode, I made a few errors that I would like to correct here.

• Early in the podcast I stated that Michael served four years out of the five sentenced for poisoning in 1985. Actually, he served only two years of the five year sentence.

• Near the end, I said Michael’s name is John Michael. That is incorrect. HIs name at birth was Joseph Michael, but he always went by Michael and the order switched to Michael Joseph.