Bern: The investigation into the first documented case of a woman using the Sarco “suicide pod” in Switzerland has taken a dramatic turn. An autopsy revealed strangulation marks on the 64-year-old American woman’s neck, raising suspicions about the circumstances surrounding her death, according to the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant.
The woman died on September 23 in a remote forest near Merishausen, a sparsely populated area close to the German border. The Sarco pod, designed by Dr Philip Nitschke, founder of Exit International, is meant for terminally ill patients seeking to end their lives peacefully.
Operated by the Swiss assisted-dying group The Last Resort, the pod functions by releasing nitrogen gas when the user presses an internal button, leading to unconsciousness and death within minutes due to oxygen deprivation, BBC reported.
Assisted-suicide group leader held in custody
The Swiss police found the woman’s body inside the pod some time after her death. Dr Florian Willet, president of The Last Resort, was reportedly the only person present and remains in custody as the investigation unfolds. Swiss Chief Prosecutor Peter Sticher has indicated that the woman’s death may not have been intentional, suggesting the possibility of “intentional homicide.”
The investigation has raised questions about the pod’s operation, particularly as it was opened and closed multiple times to check its seal before the procedure. A forensic expert said that the woman sustained severe neck injuries, intensifying scrutiny of the incident.
CCTV footage from two cameras—one inside the pod and one mounted on a nearby tree—was recorded, but not continuously. Reports say that the internal camera activated twice within minutes after the woman pressed the button, though the angle did not clarify what occurred during that time.
Expert’s account of woman’s final moments
Dr Willet told police that about two and a half minutes into the process, the woman’s body cramped, a reaction he said was typical for deaths involving nitrogen. About 30 minutes after initiating the procedure, Dr Willet confirmed to a colleague, “She really looks dead.” Swiss authorities have not yet commented on these findings, and the investigation remains ongoing, with strict laws governing assisted suicide in the country.
