Dr. Roland E. Clark was born on August 1, 1911, in Detroit, Michigan. He pursued a career in medicine, establishing a practice in the Detroit area. However, his professional life was marred by repeated allegations of misconduct. Between 1954 and 1967, Clark's medical license was revoked four times for reasons including "gross misconduct" and "moral turpitude," though he managed to have it reinstated each time.

During this period, the Michigan medical board received 25 complaints against him, encompassing allegations such as illegal abortions, sexual assaults on patients, child molestation, and excessive drug treatments for non-existent ailments. Despite these serious accusations, Clark continued to practice medicine, often evading substantial legal consequences.

On March 20, 1967, Hannah Bowerbank, Clark's 63-year-old secretary, collapsed and died while at work. The circumstances were deemed "curious" by police, but no immediate action was taken.

Eight months later, on November 3, 1967, Grace Neil, Clark's part-time secretary, died under similar suspicious circumstances. Police officers discovered her body in a hearse illegally parked outside Clark's office. An autopsy revealed traces of sodium pentothal, a powerful anesthetic.​

When authorities attempted to search Clark's premises on November 16, 1967, they realized they lacked the necessary warrants. During the delay to obtain proper documentation, Clark fled but was apprehended near Port Austin, Michigan.

Clark was charged with two counts of manslaughter for the deaths of Bowerbank and Neil. Investigations into at least nine other patient deaths were conducted but did not result in additional charges. In 1968, he was convicted and sentenced to a prison term of three to fifteen years.​ On March 23, 1972, Clark died in prison from injuries sustained in an accidental fall.