Surgeon Neil Hopper Jailed for Self-Amputation Fraud, £466K Insurance Claims

Dr. Neil Hopper, a consultant vascular surgeon who lost both legs, captivated the public with his inspiring story of overcoming sepsis and adversity to resume surgery and pursue parastronaut ambitions. His journey was documented in an S4C film and featured widely in media and television, portraying him as a heroic figure. However, it was later revealed in court that Hopper had deliberately inflicted damage on his own legs by freezing them with ice and dry ice to cause amputations, motivated by a sexual interest in amputation. He had also been in contact with Marius Gustavson, known as the “Eunuch Maker,” who leads a disturbing cult focused on surgical mutilation. Hopper admitted to lying about his medical history to insurers and possessing extreme pornography linked to Gustavson. The revelations destroyed his career, marriage, and public reputation, exposing a grim contrast to the previously celebrated narrative.