Michael Schumacher’s former nurse accused in £12 million blackmail plot over private hospital photos

Michael Schumacher’s nurse accused of £12 million blackmail involving private photos revealing his fragile condition.

A former nurse of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher is accused of involvement in a £12.3 million blackmail plot targeting Schumacher’s family. According to The Independent, the nurse, whose identity remains undisclosed, allegedly threatened to release private photos of Schumacher on the dark web, as revealed during a trial in Wuppertal, Germany.

The alleged plot involves three defendants, including Schumacher’s former security guard. Prosecutors claim the defendants accessed 900 images and 583 videos showing Schumacher in a hospital bed and wheelchair, starkly revealing his fragile condition. The materials were reportedly obtained from a care computer restricted to medical staff. The security guard and a nightclub bouncer allegedly demanded money from Schumacher’s family before being electronically traced and arrested.

Michael Schumacher, 55, suffered severe brain injuries in a skiing accident in Méribel, France, in December 2013. Following the accident, Schumacher was placed in a medically induced coma, and his family has fiercely guarded his privacy. No public images of the seven-time world champion have been released since, with his wife, Corinna, working to preserve his dignity. The Independent also reported that Schumacher’s long-time manager, Sabine Kehm, harbored suspicions about the nurse before she left her position in 2020.

One defendant denied involvement, claiming the files could have been stolen during a burglary at the family’s estate, The Independent noted. Legal proceedings continue, and the defendants face serious allegations of blackmail.

Schumacher, one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers, holds a record seven world titles alongside Lewis Hamilton. This case highlights the ongoing struggle to protect Schumacher’s privacy as his family confronts efforts to exploit his vulnerable condition.