The doctor who was sent to prison after patients became sick and died because of practices at his endoscopy clinic and a Hepatitis C outbreak has died.

Dipak Desai was serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for murder in the 2nd degree, criminal neglect of patients resulting in bodily harm, insurance fraud and more. He was imprisoned at Northern Nevada Correctional Center.

The hep C outbreak happened primarily in 2007 and was revealed in 2008. Multiple patients were infected, including 77-year-old Rodolfo Meana who died. Tens of thousands of Southern Nevadans had to be tested at the time. It is believed that it was common practice at the endoscopy clinic to double dip syringes into bottles of the anesthetic propofol among other things.

Desai was convicted in July 2013 of 27 criminal counts related to the outbreak. His assistant, Ronald Lakeman, was also sentenced in the case. He was ordered to serve a minimum of 8 years in prison.

Desai passed away at approximately 10:45 p.m. April 10 at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno at the age of 67. His cause of death has not been released but Desai has suffered at least 3 strokes since 2007. There will be an autopsy as required by state law.

