A bogus healer accused of killing his disabled wife to hide a sex scandal with patients is facing murder charges.

Self-styled naturopath Michael W. – who was actually a blacksmith – used his business as a front to sexually abuse patients, say prosecutors in Germany.

But when one patient complained to police in Flensburg City, Schleswig-Holstein State, he decided to kill his multiple sclerosis-stricken wife to get his hands on her inheritance before she divorced him, reported local media.

Michael W., 54, was reportedly terrified that his wife Christiane L. would kick him out of the family home when she discovered the scandal.

So he allegedly doped her with a cocktail of drugs before stabbing the 66-year-old twice, planning to cash in money from her will and insurance payouts.

The bogus medic was seized by police five months ago (September 2022) when they discovered her body at the couple’s home.

Further checks on his business found a string of patients who said they had been sexually abused by him.

Senior public prosecutor Bernd Winterfeldt said: “He used this position to sexually abuse the women who came to see him.”

Instead of healing them, he groped them and inserted objects into their bodies.

When one victim complained, reported local media, he threatened to post nude photos he had secretly taken of her online.

Prosecutor Winterfeldt explained that Michael W. had killed his wife to stop her kicking him out

He said: “In order to maintain his standard of living and to get his wife’s inheritance, he decided to kill her.”

When questioned, Michael W. confessed that he was not a naturopath but refused to admit that he had sexually abused his patients or murdered his wife.

Winterfeldt said: “We have brought charges of murder and particularly serious sexual assault in several cases.

“We accuse him of having killed his wife out of greed.”

Michael W. has been charged with murder and eight cases of sexual abuse against four women.

Police are investigating 15 more suspected cases.

He faces a life sentence if found guilty

A friend of the couple told German media: “Michael took full advantage of Christiane. He wasn’t good for her.

“He isolated her more and more from the village community.”