Dr. Kermit Gosnell, convicted of killing babies at Philadelphia abortion clinic, dies at 85

Gosnell's grimy West Philadelphia clinic became known as the 'house of horrors'.

Mar. 24, 2026 at 5:18am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Dr. Kermit Gosnell, an abortion clinic doctor sentenced to life for killing three babies who had been delivered alive, died earlier this month at a Pennsylvania hospital, prison officials said Monday. Gosnell's clinic became known as the 'house of horrors' where he routinely performed illegal abortions past Pennsylvania's 24-week limit and killed newborn babies by 'snipping' their spines.

Why it matters

Gosnell's case highlighted major failures in state oversight of abortion clinics, leading to tougher regulations in Pennsylvania. His conviction for murdering infants born alive during illegal late-term abortions sparked a national debate over abortion rights and the protection of newborn life.

The details

Former employees testified that Gosnell delivered babies who were still moving, whimpering or breathing, and that he and his assistants killed the newborns by 'snipping' their spines. Conditions at his clinic were described as foul-smelling, with bags and bottles of fetuses, jars of body parts, bloodstained furniture, and dirty medical instruments.

Gosnell died on March 1, 2026.
Gosnell was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 2013.

The players