Warning: This article mentions topics of suicide and euthanasia
As we come to the grim realization that everyone has to shuffle off this mortal coil at some point, there's been a rise in the debate about assisted suicide and right-to-die activism. Alongside Lithuanian artist Julijonas Urbonas designing his concept for a 'Euthanasia Coaster', there's Dr. Philip Nitschke's 'Suicide Pod'. While the roller coaster has remained just a concept, Nitschke's suicide pod has actually been built and earned him the nickname of 'Dr. Death'.
The Sarco Pod is supposed to work by releasing nitrogen gas into a sealed chamber. The user will then fall asleep and die from suffocation within a matter of minutes, however, Nitschke is dealing with allegations that its first user was strangled.
In September 2024, a 64-year-old woman from the USA became the first person to use the Sarco Pod, but as the pod hadn't been approved for use, several people involved were arrested.
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Although assisted dying is legal in Switzerland under certain conditions, Schaffhausen Police opened a criminal investigation under "Article 115 of the Swiss Criminal Code."
Nitschke wasn't physically there for the woman's death on September 23 but saw a live video transmission from where it took place in a northern Switzerland forest.
Florian Willet, the head of The Last Resort, was there at her death and was taken into police custody. Willet remains there as Swiss authorities look into the circumstances surrounding her death, as well as allegations she was strangled.
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The Australian-born Nitschke has finally broken his silence in an interview with Swiss newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung, but speaking to The Associated Press, he claims he was 'compelled' to speak out due to Willet's current situation.
With Willet facing months until a potential trial and prosecutors claiming there's evidence of 'homicide', Nitschke has spoken out: "We’ve got to try and do something about the fact that Florian has been stuck in prison now for about 58 days."
As for the unidentified woman, Nitschke reiterates she had a 'compromised immune function' and was 'subject to chronic infection.' Swiss law states that assisted suicide is legal as long as they take their own life and there's no 'external assistance.'
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The Swiss prosecutor has reportedly suggested that the woman might've been strangled, with a Volkskrant article claiming Willet, one of its photographers, and two lawyers were detained under suspicion of inciting suicide and assisting the woman in doing so.
These strangulation allegations are something that Nitschke firmly denies, adding: "It is absurd because we’ve got film that the capsule wasn’t opened. Everything happened exactly as we had predicted.
“The woman climbed into the Sarco alone, closed the lid without help and pressed the button that released the nitrogen herself. She lost consciousness and died after about six minutes."
He's now offered to travel to Switzerland to share video footage and data on oxygen levels, but says this is something the prosecutors won't accept.
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Swiss police have confiscated the only working Sarco Pod, which cost $1 million to develop and build, although another was thought to be in production. Nitschke says he wants a 'clear decision' from the courts before he'll use the device in Switzerland again.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.