Creator of controversial suicide pod speaks out in aftermath of Christa Pike's botched lethal injection

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide, which some readers may find distressing.

It's been two years since Philip Nitschke's controversial Sarco Pod was used for its one and only time, but still, arguments about the 'suicide pod' rage on.

In September 2024, the death of a 64-year-old woman in Switzerland resulted in the arrest of several people, including The Last Resort CEO Florian Willet. As an investigation into the events surrounding her death rumbled on, there was further tragedy when Willet took his own life.

Police seized the 3D-printed suicide capsule, while the Swiss Supreme Court rejected appeals from a Dutch journalist who photographed the event, wanting to prevent his photos from being used as evidence.

Despite the backlash and continued scrutiny, Nitschke has continued to fight for right-to-die protections and even discussed how he thinks AI will be used to judge further cases of whether someone is allowed to use machines like the Sarco Pod.

In the aftermath of Christa Pike's failed lethal injection in Tennessee, Nitschke has spoken out about his latest invention that's already been dubbed the 'suicide collar'.

After two doses of pentobarbital failed to kill Pike, eyewitnesses report hearing her snoring before the media was asked to leave and she was taken away for medical attention.

The latest updates report that Pike is still unconscious and remains on a ventilator in a Nashville hospital.

Her legal team has branded the failed execution as "cruel and torturous," arguing against a third attempt and asking for her death sentence to be formally commuted.

The Spectator's Melanie McDonagh shared an op-ed on why she believes Pike should be allowed to live, also mentioning Nitschke's Kairos Collar.

Unlike the Sarco Pod's use of inert gas asphyxiation, the Kairos Collar kills users by gradually restricting blood flow in the carotid artery.

McDonagh didn't sound sold on the idea, adding: "It [the Kairos Collar] is still in the process of development; perhaps the doctor might try it on himself."

All of this comes as some call for the historic use of the guillotine to be reintroduced as a more 'humane' method of execution.

McDonagh's musings landed on the radar of Nitschke, who took to X to add: "I appreciate Melanie’s endorsement of the Kairos collar, and agree that lethal injections are not always fast or reliable (except, because the Swiss don’t report, all barbiturate suicide assistance is just perfect!) Christa Pike should be allowed to live."

Nitcschke has been branded 'Doctor Death' by some, with British MPs and campaigners saying he should be banned from entering the United Kingdom.

Still, he spoke about the potential practical use of the Kairos Collar with the Daily Mail, explaining his plans to use it on a woman in Switzerland as his first 'test subject'.

Nitschke didn't bring the Kairos Collar to an event in London, adding: "I have left the device in the Netherlands. I feared it would be stopped at customs. We are under pressure from authorities about what they call "giving dangerous information to vulnerable people."

He spoke ahead of the Second Reading on Lauren Edwards' revived assisted dying Bill, which failed in the House of Commons by a vote of 286 against to 270 in favor.

Calling it a 'difficult environment', Nitschke looked particularly at the situation in the UK as he concluded: "People are a little worried or frustrated by the slow pace of legislated change in the country. So they often look around and ask what else is available."

There's been further debate about alternative methods of execution or assisted dying following Pike's attempted execution, and while Nitschke's work continues to divide opinions, he remains vocal about it.

For advice, support, and more information, you can contact Death With Dignity via their website or email them at [email protected]. For more state resources, you can also contact End of Life Choices Oregon or Patient Choices Vermont.

Additionally, if you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 to reach a 24-hour crisis center or you can webchat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.