Upcoming book to profile Ohio's Pill Mill Killer

CHILLICOTHE — The upcoming book "Prescription for Pain" will tell the story of how one doctor in Southern Ohio became the Pill Mill Killer.

The book follows the true crime story of Paul Volkman, a man sentenced to four consecutive life terms in prison for a prescription drug-dealing scheme that was part of the opiate epidemic in the Southern Ohio area. His crimes took place in Portsmouth and Chillicothe impacting many people and families.

After being indicted in 2007 Volkman was sentenced in 2012 for his crimes. He was linked to the overdose deaths of 13 patients after being investigated for over 20 other deaths.

Author Phil Eil is the son of a man who went to medical school with Volkman. After hearing about the indictment from his parents Eil was immediately hooked on learning more and figuring out how an unassuming man with great potential could become a killer.

"I was immediately fascinated," said Eil. "It was a total mystery that captivated me the first moment I heard about it."

While researching this story Eil spent 12 years interviewing and talking with Volkman, who still maintains his innocence. He also traveled to many states and interviewed hundreds of people involved. He said it is important to remember those impacted by the man-made issue and learn from the past so that the future might be different.

"I hope that with this book I can put a human face to some of the folks who lost their lives to that epidemic and pay tribute to them," said Eil.

"Prescription for Pain: How a Once-Promising Doctor Became the 'Pill Mill Killer'" comes out on April 9 and can be preordered and purchased wherever you get your books.

Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Portsmouth and Chillicothe Pill Mill doctor profiled in new book