U.S. Woman Allegedly Dies in Controversial “Suicide Capsule” in Switzerland

Police in northern Switzerland announced on Tuesday that several individuals have been detained following a criminal investigation into what is believed to be an assisted suicide involving a “suicide capsule.” This incident is drawing significant attention due to the controversial nature of the device, known as the “Sarco.”

The Sarco capsule has garnered considerable debate as it is designed to allow the person inside—reclining comfortably—to activate a mechanism that fills the chamber with nitrogen gas. This process ultimately leads to unconsciousness and death by suffocation within a few minutes. Developed by Exit International, an organization that advocates for assisted dying, the 3D-printed Sarco reportedly cost over a million dollars to create.

Swiss laws map out the legal framework surrounding assisted suicide. As per the regulations, individuals must take their own lives without “external assistance,” and anyone who helps them must not have any self-serving motives, according to governmental guidelines.

Authorities became aware of a possible incident involving the Sarco capsule in the vicinity of a forest cabin in Merishausen, located in the Schaffhausen region. A law firm reported the situation to local prosecutors, leading to the detention of several people on suspicions relating to incitement and contributions to suicide. The police confirmed that the ongoing investigation involves multiple parties.

On a related note, Dutch newspaper Volkskrant reported that one of its photographers was detained while attempting to capture images of the capsule in use. Schaffhausen police confirmed that the photographer was in custody, but they did not provide additional details. The newspaper chose to refrain from further comment when approached by the Associated Press.

Peter Sticher, the public prosecutor in Schaffhausen, stated that several individuals were arrested to prevent any potential collusion or destruction of evidence. He described the situation as serious, noting that the operators of the capsule were aware of the legal risks involved. “We had warned them in writing about the legal consequences of their actions in Schaffhausen,” he explained.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry, in response to the events, stated that they are in communication with both the newspaper and Swiss officials. While they emphasized the importance of press freedom, they also noted that they could not interfere in another country’s legal processes.

Exit International confirmed in a statement that a 64-year-old woman from the Midwest United States utilized the Sarco capsule on Monday afternoon, near the German border. The organization highlighted that she suffered from severe health issues, which contributed to her decision. According to reports, only Florian Willet, co-president of The Last Resort (a Swiss affiliate of Exit International), was present during the procedure, which he described as a “peaceful, fast, and dignified” experience for the individual.

Dr. Philip Nitschke, the founder of Exit International, indicated that legal counsel in Switzerland had equipped them with the information necessary to proceed without breaking any laws. Following the use of the Sarco, Nitschke expressed satisfaction that the device operated as intended, facilitating a non-drug-induced, peaceful death.

However, Swiss Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider raised concerns regarding the legal status of the Sarco during a parliamentary session. She asserted that the capsule does not comply with product safety regulations and questioned the legality of utilizing nitrogen for such purposes.

Earlier in July, legal communications warning that operators of the Sarco could face criminal charges if it was used in Schaffhausen were conveyed to Exit International’s lawyers. It has been suggested that experiencing a conviction could lead to a maximum five-year prison sentence for those involved.

Switzerland stands out as one of the few countries globally where individuals can legally travel to end their lives through assisted suicide. Organizations exist to facilitate this process; however, unlike the Netherlands, Swiss law does not permit euthanasia where healthcare professionals administer lethal injections under specific circumstances. In 2020, around 1,300 people were reported to have died by assisted suicide in Switzerland.

Debate persists among Swiss lawmakers regarding the clarity of the current legal framework, with many advocating to close perceived loopholes. Earlier investigations suggested that the Sarco does not qualify as a medical device and is unlikely to infringe upon existing laws governing product safety, according to legal experts.