Not long ago, Neil Hopper was seen as an inspiring figure.
A respected NHS vascular surgeon, he was praised for carrying out hundreds of life-changing operations and even received national awards for bravery.
He appeared on television, shared his story of survival, and was even shortlisted for a spot in the European Space Agency’s “parastronaut” program.
But behind the public admiration was a shocking secret that has now landed him in court.
The Disturbing Truth Behind His Amputations
Hopper, aged 49 and based in Cornwall, admitted in court that his dramatic story of losing both legs to sepsis was a lie.
Instead, he had deliberately used dry ice to freeze his legs, knowing they would need to be amputated.
This was not an accident, nor a tragic medical emergency, but something he had long desired.
He then filed false claims with insurers, pocketing more than £466,000 by pretending his amputations were the result of illness.
A Secret Fetish and Hidden Interests
The court also heard that Hopper had an unusual and disturbing sexual interest connected to body mutilation.
He had purchased extreme videos from a website called EunuchMaker, which showcased graphic scenes of genital mutilation.
Prosecutors revealed that he had openly admitted to watching them “thousands of times” and confessed to being fascinated by them.
This troubling behavior formed part of the charges he pleaded guilty to.
A Carefully Crafted Public Image
Before the truth came out, Hopper had built a reputation as a man of resilience.
In interviews and documentaries, he described how a supposed bout of sepsis during a camping trip led to his amputations.
He painted a picture of a man who overcame tragedy, received prosthetic legs, and returned to his medical career with new determination.
In fact, he even claimed the experience made him a better doctor, more empathetic to patients.
Recognition, Awards, and the Space Dream
Hopper’s story won him national admiration.
He was named one of Britain’s “bravest people” in 2020 and even appeared in a documentary that presented him as an inspiring survivor.
He set his sights high, applying to the European Space Agency’s parastronaut program.
He made it through early rounds of selection but eventually lost out to Paralympian John McFall.
Still, at the time, it seemed like an extraordinary achievement.
The Fall From Grace
The fairytale began to unravel in 2023.
Hopper’s employer, the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, suspended him after restrictions were placed on his medical practice.
By December that year, he was struck off the medical register.
His carefully built reputation collapsed as the criminal charges became public.
Connection to an Extreme Underground Network
Investigators linked Hopper to Marius Gustavson, the man behind the EunuchMaker site.
Gustavson was jailed for life after running a disturbing underground body modification ring that involved castrations, amputations, and even acts of cannibalism.
This network attracted people with extreme body dysphoria, and Hopper’s involvement brought fresh scrutiny to his own actions.
The Impact on Former Patients
Perhaps most unsettling is the reaction from Hopper’s former patients.
Many of them had undergone amputations and other major surgeries under his care.
Now, some are questioning whether their operations were truly necessary.
Medical negligence lawyers and the Limbless Association charity have called for a full independent investigation into his clinical decisions, stressing that patients deserve answers and support.
What His Lawyers Say
In his defense, Hopper’s legal team argued that he had struggled since childhood with feelings of body dysphoria and a deep dislike of his feet.
They claimed he believed he was in the “wrong body” and had long wanted to be female.
His actions, they suggested, were rooted in psychological struggles rather than a desire to harm others.
What Comes Next?
As the legal process continues, the case raises serious questions for the NHS, patients, and the public.
How could a man celebrated as a hero secretly be living such a disturbing double life?
Could any of his patients have been harmed by his hidden obsessions?
And what safeguards should be put in place to prevent something like this from happening again?
For now, what’s clear is that Hopper’s fall from grace has left a trail of shock, mistrust, and calls for accountability.