Cullen State`s Most Prolific Killer

The so-called "angel of death," Charles Cullen, officially became the worst mass murderer in New Jersey history Wednesday.

The former nurse admitted to killing three people in Warren County. That was in addition to 13 murders for which he has already pleaded guilty.

When Cullen, 44, walked into the Warren County courtroom Wednesday, some victims' family members averted their eyes. Some cried as Cullen pleaded guilty to killing three elderly women -- Helen Dean, 91, Lucy Mugavero, 90, and Mary Natoli, 85. All three women were patients at Warren Hospital in 1993.

Cullen admitted Wednesday that he sneaked lethal doses of Digoxin into the patients' systems. The judge asked Cullen whether each dose was meant to kill the patient.

"Yes, it was," Cullen said.

"I have one comment and then I'm going to leave, and please don't paraphrase: He is Satan's son," said Debbie Yetter, one victim's granddaughter.

"One more day would have been great for our family. It's beyond me to really try and speculate what his motives were, other than evil," said Philip Mugavero, Lucy Mugavero's grandson.

Last month, Cullen cut a deal with prosecutors that got him life in prison instead of the death penalty as long as he helps police identify all of his victims. Under his plea agreement, Cullen will be sentenced to life in prison in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and will serve the sentence in New Jersey. He will not be eligible for parole for at least 127 years. Cullen also agreed to meet with regulators trying to prevent future security breaches in hospitals.

Prosecutors said that Cullen is cooperating, but his comments are devastating so many families along the way.

"(She was the) sweetest little Italian lady you would ever want to meet. Wouldn't hurt a fly. She did not deserve for her life to be ended this way," said Christine Mauro, another victim's granddaughter

Wednesday, Cullen passed Howard Unruh as New Jersey's deadliest serial killer. Unrue had admitted to killing 13 people in Camden in 1949. Cullen has admitted to killing 16 in New Jersey, and authorities believe there are more to come. Cullen has said that he may have killed up to 40 patients.

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