First Sarco ‘suicide pod’ person discovered lifeless with ‘strangulation marks’ in Swiss woods
The first person to have used a Sarco suicide pod was reportedly found with marks of strangulation.
A 64-year-old American woman passed away inside the futuristic pod, located in a forested area of Merishausen, Switzerland, on September 23. She activated the device, which filled the chamber with nitrogen gas, leading to a lethal case of hypoxia after pressing a button from within. However, the case has taken a dark turn as authorities are now probing the possibility of foul play.
Chief prosecutor Peter Sticher raised concerns in court that the woman may have been murdered. Forensic examination revealed neck injuries on the American, a detail shared with Mr Sticher by a forensic doctor soon after the incident.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
In the aftermath, Dr Florian Willet, head of Sarco’s operating company The Last Resort, was detained along with others. Dutch news source de Volkskrant has reported that Dr Willet remains in custody. He is said to have been the sole individual with the mother-of-two at her time of death, reports the Mirror.
The deceased was reportedly suffering from skull base osteomyelitis. An informant told Swiss media that this condition could mimic the appearance of strangulation marks due to bone marrow infection.
MailOnline disclosed that the woman had been seeking death for more than two years following a diagnosis of a “very serious illness that involves severe pain.”
According to The Last Resort, her treatment options for osteomyelitis were limited due to an immune system disorder.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The inventor of the controversial ‘suicide pod’ has admitted that a woman entered the device and “almost immediately pressed the button” to end her life amidst the tranquillity of the surrounding woods, where she could witness the trees and sky in her final moments.
Dr. Philip Nitschke, who conceptualised the morbid machine, described to Dutch journalists the sombre scene: “It looked exactly as we expected it to look. My guess is that she lost consciousness within two minutes and that she died after five minutes. We saw sudden, small contractions and movements of the muscles in her arms, but she was probably already unconscious by then.”
The discovery of her lifeless form prompted police intervention, leading to several arrests in the serene forest setting.
Among those taken into custody were Dr. Willet, a pair with legal expertise, and even a photographer from Volkskrant. In a statement last month covered by MailOnline, regional Schaffhausen prosecutor Peter Sticher had already laid down the law, ominously forewarning Sarco’s developers about its use: “We warned them in writing,” he revealed.
(Image: AP)
“We said that if they came to Schaffhausen and used Sarco, they would face criminal consequences.”
Their suspicion revolved around allegations of promoting suicide and offering aid for such acts. With most released before 48 hours concluded, only Dr. Willet remained under detention.
The Last Resort platform responded: “The Last Resort and Exit International maintain that no laws were broken and that the first use of the Sarco was lawful.
“[The woman] had mental capacity, she acted voluntarily and she did the action that brought about her death by herself. There were no selfish motives (no fees were charged, no one obtained a personal benefit etc.). There exists proof for all of this. Before the use of the Sarco, extensive legal advice over a period of years had been taken.
“We are confident that the criminal investigation will conclude that no one is guilty of a crime. Dr. Philip Nitschke and Dr. Fiona Stewart have informed the public prosecutor’s office of Schaffhausen in writing that they are available to be questioned in Switzerland.”
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