Published on: January 9, 2026, 07:21h.
Updated on: January 7, 2026, 10:49h.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The “Vegas Myths Busted” series unveils new insights every Monday, along with a special Flashback Friday edition. Today’s feature in our ongoing series initially appeared on September 23, 2024.
In March and April 1980, Las Vegas captured worldwide attention for more scandalous reasons than usual.
Reports indicated that seven ICU nurses at Sunrise Hospital bet on when their patients would pass away. They were spotted putting cash into an envelope, accompanied by their predictions scribbled on paper.
One nurse, Supervisor Jani Adams, allegedly tampered with life-support systems to aid her colleagues in winning.
Deathbed Wager
“ANGEL OF DEATH!” screamed the New York Post, “Nurse Accused of Initiating Lethal Hospital Betting Scandal.”
“It reads like something out of a fevered imagination,” Walter Cronkite, the most reputable voice in televised news, remarked on April 2.
Sunrise Hospital acted promptly by suspending all seven nurses and probing six recent ICU deaths as potentially suspicious.
Of course, the “Angel of Death” referred to Adams. At 32 years old, she was arrested and charged with murder by a Nevada grand jury, who believed she cut off oxygen to a patient named Vincent Fraser.
Of the initial six investigated deaths, Fraser’s case was deemed the strongest for prosecution. His widow testified that she was asked to sign a mortuary release form the day before his passing, intensifying suspicions around the timing of his death.
One officer who escorted Adams in handcuffs felt outraged by what he perceived as her indifference toward life, even threatening her with the gas chamber.
Misunderstandings Aplenty
The sensationalism surrounding the case stemmed from a major misinterpretation by Barbara Farro, a nurse at Sunrise new to the night shift, coupled with reporting from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
After overhearing Adams and her colleagues discussing a deceased patient’s status inappropriately while playing cards, she mistakenly believed that the woman’s life-support had been manipulative, and that Fraser was “next in line.”
The convoluted narrative in Farro’s mind formed when she noticed money being placed into an envelope and circulated among the nurses.
Farro reported the situation to the police, who subsequently leaked the story to the R-J. Their article on March 13, 1980, featured Nevada Governor Robert List noting that he wished this was merely a figment of someone’s imagination but that the situation had substantial credibility.
The R-J piece also quoted a leading health officer of Clark County stating, “turning off oxygen intermittently could weaken a patient’s heart, leading to death hours later without connecting the cause to the life-support systems.”
Adams’ case was not assisted by the dark humor she, like many in high-pressure professions, used to cope with daily stress.
When alone with fellow hospital staff during patient deaths, Adams allegedly would quip, “I’ve taken another one out!” Reportedly, she once stood beside a patient and urged, “C’mon, Marian, pass away!”
The Trial
During her trial, Adams claimed the money envelope was merely a farewell gift for a departing nurse. With the prosecution presenting little evidence against her, even the district attorney conceded there was insufficient proof of any betting, stating “some witnesses mentioned they believed gambling had occurred, yet the only amount referenced was a nickel.”
The idea of murder seemed remarkably unlikely.
Fraser, a 51-year-old lawn irrigation technician, had been on the brink of death since his admission to Sunrise two months prior. Medical records revealed severe cirrhosis of the liver, necessitating two surgeries — one of which became infected, leading to sepsis and eventual kidney failure.
Even the physician who issued the death certificate maintained there was “no clinical indication to suggest this patient perished from anything but natural causes.”
Regarding the signing of a mortuary release prior to death, it is a common procedure when a terminal patient is nearing the end, particularly if family members, like Fraser’s wife, lack transportation for visits.
Restoration of Reputation
Judge Michael Wendell dismissed the charges against Adams due to inadequate evidence. She returned to her role, receiving support from colleagues and hospital management.
However, the damage was lasting. The R-J reported on the case’s dismissal, alongside other news outlets, none of which granted it the front-page spotlight they had to the indictment.
Moreover, the dismissal garnered no coverage from major networks. The new angle lacked the sensationalism needed to capture attention. Walter had better stories to share.
Ultimately, the public clung to the notion that such an unethical betting scandal transpired merely blocks from the Las Vegas Strip. Even today, many continue to believe this tale, labeling it as one of those “only in Vegas” anecdotes.
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