Snapped: Women Who Murder

Episode Summary: “Reta Mays”

Podcast: Snapped: Women Who Murder
Host: Oxygen
Episode: Reta Mays
Original Air Date: April 5, 2026

Overview:

This chilling episode examines the true crime case of Reta Mays, a nursing assistant at a VA hospital in Clarksburg, West Virginia, who became one of America's most recent serial killers. The episode explores how Mays preyed on elderly male veterans by injecting them with insulin, leading to a string of unexplained deaths. Through in-depth interviews and meticulous investigation, the episode unpacks the horrors of the case, the emotional impact on families, and the systemic failures that allowed these crimes to persist.

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

1. The Mysterious Illnesses Begin

• Setting: Clarksburg, West Virginia, Lewis A. Johnson Medical Center, a small but vital VA hospital ([02:08]).
• First Suspicious Case:
  • 92-year-old war veteran Russell Posey Sr. suffers a sudden, life-threatening hypoglycemic event despite having no history of diabetes. Family and staff are perplexed ([03:09], [05:51]).
  • Quote: “His sugar had dropped from, I think, approximately 117, 118 down to 14 in a matter of minutes. And that sent him into cardiac arrest.” – Vincent Posey ([05:13])
• Medical Anomaly: Repeated events of unexplained hypoglycemia in non-diabetic patients ([00:55]).

2. A Pattern Emerges

• Over several months, multiple elderly, male patients (aged 72–96) in Ward 3A experience similar unexplained drops in blood sugar, often resulting in death ([12:08], [18:26]).
• Notable Victims:
  • Robert Kozol, Archie Edgell, George Shaw Sr., Felix McDermott, Raymond Golden, and others ([12:44]–[18:26]).
  • Quote: “They were all on the upswing and expecting to be discharged.” – Family Member/Advocate ([18:43])
• The hospital, initially slow to act, sees rumors spread about a mysterious “angel of death” ([02:02], [13:06], [15:34], [34:01]).

3. Investigation and Red Flags

• Investigation is formally launched when the hospital cannot find medical explanations. It is discovered someone is administering insulin surreptitiously ([19:12], [20:02]).
  • Quote: “These events couldn’t be occurring naturally or by accident. This was being done by someone.” – Website User 2 / Investigator ([01:27], [19:49])
• FBI and VA Office of Inspector General join the probe; all suspicious deaths occurred in Ward 3A ([21:30]).
• Employee Review:
  • Time records and sitter logs reveal Reta Mays was present at every suspicious event, often assigned to direct one-on-one care for the victims ([22:13]–[23:00]).
  • Audit trails from glucometers suggest she recorded a disproportionate number of severe low blood sugar readings ([23:33]–[23:58]).

4. Who Was Reta Mays?

• Background:
  • Late 40s, local to Clarksburg; former Army National Guard member; briefly a corrections officer, left amid an excessive force investigation ([26:07]–[27:24]).
  • Personal turmoil: husband serving prison time, son with legal issues ([26:26], [31:07]).
• Employment: Stellar workplace reputation, even awarded “Nursing Assistant of the Year.” Yet, some colleagues recall her seeking proximity to victims during crises ([27:58]–[28:16]).
• Quote: “They thought it was unusual that Rita was often found in the room with the victims, holding their hands, asking questions as to why and how this could have happened.” – Hospital Administrator ([28:16])

5. Building the Criminal Case

• Despite strong suspicions, evidence is circumstantial; Rita is reassigned away from patient care ([29:39], [30:41]).
• Investigators search for motive: power, control amid personal chaos, and even possible “mercy killings” ([30:51], [40:18]).
• Electronic evidence: Rita viewed true crime shows about nurses who killed, some featuring insulin as a murder weapon ([31:27]).
• After a 5.5-hour FBI interview, Rita denies involvement, then “lawyers up” ([32:47], [33:27]).
  • Quote: “Did you have anything to do with the deaths or incidents with these patients? Absolutely not.” – Rita Mays ([32:47])

6. Exhumations, Forensics, and Breakthroughs

• Investigators exhume victims’ bodies with family consent to seek forensic proof ([34:01]).
• Medical examiner finds insulin injection sites; seven deaths officially ruled homicides ([35:44]–[36:12]).
  • Quote: “What really hit a smack in the face is seeing the autopsy report. And in big black bold letters, the words homicide, it just all became real.” – George Shaw Sr.’s son ([35:56])

7. Charges, Plea Deal, and Sentencing

• With firm evidence, Rita is served with a target letter; her lawyers pursue a plea deal after review of evidence ([37:47]–[39:00]).
• Plea Agreement: Admits to seven counts of second-degree murder and one of attempted murder. Sentenced to seven life terms plus 20 years ([39:37]).
  • Quote (Judge): “Rita, the monster no one sees coming.” ([39:55])
• Family’s Perspective: Supports the plea to avoid a painful trial ([39:12], [39:55]).

8. Motive Examined, But Never Understood

• Rita offers inconsistent rationales: partial “mercy killings,” but the suffering of patients disproves that; claims killing gave her a sense of control amid her chaotic life ([40:07], [41:25]).
  • Quote: “These veterans were not on death’s door at all when they were admitted...That’s no angel of mercy to me. That’s a monster.” – George Shaw Sr.’s son ([40:54])
  • Quote: “Why did Rita snap? I have no idea why she went to the dark side and started playing God.” – Vincent Posey ([42:01])
• Investigators and families acknowledge true motive may never be known ([41:25], [42:01]).

9. Remembrance and Legacy

• Families focus on honoring their loved ones’ memories and hope the tragedy leads to better care and oversight for veterans.
  • Quote: “They should be remembered as men who honorably served our country, who were loved and loved their families and deserved a lot better.” – Family Member / Advocate ([42:53])
  • Quote: “Their families will make sure that they are never forgotten. Never forgotten.” – George Shaw Sr.’s son ([43:13])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments:

• “His sugar had dropped in a matter of minutes. That sent him into cardiac arrest.” – Vincent Posey ([00:38])
• “It was pretty clear something terrible had gone wrong at this hospital.” – Hospital Staff / Colleague ([01:06])
• “There were events with a number of patients of unexplained hypoglycemia.” – Medical Expert ([00:55])
• “That’s no angel of mercy. To me. That’s a monster.” – George Shaw Sr.’s son ([01:48], [40:54])
• “She had been accused in several complaints of being excessively harsh...” – Hospital Colleague ([27:33])
• “What really hit a smack in the face is seeing the autopsy report. And in big black bold Letters, the words homicide...” – George Shaw Sr.’s son ([35:56])
• “Why did Rita snap? I have no idea why she went to the dark side and started playing God.” – Vincent Posey ([42:01])
• “They should be remembered as men who honorably served our country...They deserved a lot better.” – Family Member / Advocate ([42:53])

Key Timestamps:

| MM:SS | Segment | Content | |-----------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:31 | Introduction | Discovery of the first unexplained, life-threatening illness | | 03:09 | Victim’s Family | Posey’s son recounts events leading up to attack | | 05:51 | Medical Puzzlement | Posey's history, unexplained hypoglycemia | | 12:08 | Pattern Recognition | Multiple patients, same symptoms, different cases | | 19:12 | Investigation Begins | VA refers the case for criminal investigation | | 22:13 | Reta Mays Narrowed as Suspect | Timecard and sitter logs reveal pattern | | 26:07 | Rita’s Background | Personal history and previous jobs | | 30:41 | Hospital Reassigns Mays | Moved from patients to mailroom | | 31:27 | Electronic Evidence | Rita watches “Nurses Who Kill” episodes | | 32:47 | FBI Interview | Rita denies involvement, requests lawyer | | 34:01 | Consent for Exhumation | Families agree, autopsies ordered | | 35:44 | Autopsy Findings | Insulin injection sites found, deaths ruled homicide | | 39:37 | Sentencing | Multiple life sentences handed down | | 40:07 | Motive Discussion | Rita’s claimed rationales, investigators counter | | 42:53 | In Memoriam | Families resolve to remember the victims |

Tone and Style Reflection:

Throughout the episode, the narrative remains empathetic, methodical, and somber, showing deep respect for the victims and the emotional devastation experienced by families. The investigative process is described with clarity and precision, mirroring the tenacity and human perspective of law enforcement and loved ones alike.

For Listeners:

This episode is an unflinching look at a real-life medical serial killer, interweaving the pain of loss, the relentless pursuit of the truth, and the complex psychology behind the crimes. For those interested in true crime, healthcare accountability, or the resilience of victims’ families, this episode offers both closure in the form of justice and a sobering reminder of vigilance in systems of care.