The Minnesota nurse suspected of urging people via the Internet to commit suicide went to a hospital emergency room the day he was first questioned by police and told medical staff he was “addicted” to suicide chat rooms.

But William Melchert-Dinkel, of Faribault, didn’t just listen in on the conversations.

According to an order from the Minnesota Board of Nursing revoking his practical nurse license and made public Tuesday, Melchert-Dinkel, 47, pretended to be a young female nurse and told people online that his professional experience gave him “expert knowledge into the most effective ways of killing yourself.”

As part of its June revocation order, the nursing board determined that Melchert-Dinkel “aided suicide … by encouraging and advising individuals to commit suicide,” in violation of Minnesota law.

Melchert-Dinkel has not been charged with a crime.

Reached at his home Tuesday, the married father of two said he has a new career. He declined to comment on the nursing board findings, citing advice from his attorneys.

An 18-year-old Canadian woman took her life after communicating online with Melchert-Dinkel, and a 32-year-old Englishman also committed suicide after Internet chats later traced to Melchert-Dinkel, according to the nursing board order.

The Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is investigating the case, and “investigators are consulting with various prosecuting authorities to determine the best venue for charges,” said Sgt. Paul Schnell, St. Paul police spokesman. A St. Paul police commander leads the task force.

Investigators have identified other online conversations Melchert-Dinkel was involved in, but Schnell said he would not discuss whether other people had committed suicide as a result because the investigation is continuing.

Police told the nursing board Melchert-Dinkel used false identities on the Internet and encouraged people to hang themselves. He told them he was a 29-year-old female nurse and watched individuals commit suicide via a webcam, the board’s order said.

Melchert-Dinkel told police he did not watch any suicides.

In some cases, he made fake pacts with the alleged victims — some minors — writing in one e-mail: “I can also die on Friday the 20th too!! … I hope we can talk that day and go somewhat close to the same time if possible,” according to an application for a search warrant for Melchert-Dinkel’s computer.

He signed the e-mail, “… ** hugs** and love … Cami.”

The nursing board order included detailed information on two hospital visits by Melchert-Dinkel.

On Jan. 7, Melchert-Dinkel went to an emergency room at a Faribault hospital, saying he was questioned that day by police “for assisting suicide via the Internet over the past four years.”

The next day, he was transferred to an Owatonna hospital, where an admissions assessment noted, “4 yrs suicide fetish offered medical advice for assisted suicide x2… posed as 28 yo female formed suicide pacts with some that he had no attention (sic) of following thru… wanted to be caretaker or nurturer… feels worthless, guilty.”

The nursing board documents cite serious problems in Melchert-Dinkel’s work history going back 15 years.

Incidents of patient abuse or neglect of his duties occurred when Melchert-Dinkel worked at Ebenezer Luther Hall in 1994, United Hospital in St. Paul in 1996, Pleasant Manor in Faribault in 1997 and Lyngblomsten Care Center in St. Paul in 2002.

While working at a Faribault nursing home from 2004 to 2008, Melchert-Dinkel was issued disciplinary notices for:

Leaving a vulnerable resident unattended and unrestrained in the bathroom, causing the resident to fall.

Being too “rough” with residents.

Sleeping while on duty.