A 64-year-old woman from the Midwest region of the United States died on Monday, September 23, 2024 using the Sarco suicide capsule. The death occurred near Merishausen, a forested area close to the German border in northern Switzerland.
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The Sarco capsule, short for sarcophagus, it is a futuristic-looking 3D-printed device designed to allow individuals to end their lives in a controlled and peaceful manner.
It was developed by Dr. Philip Nitschke, an Australian euthanasia advocate and founder of Exit International, the capsule allows its user to release nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber.
The nitrogen reduces oxygen levels leading to a rapid and painless death within minutes. The process is activated by the person inside pressing a button.
The Sarco was designed as a non-drug alternative to assisted suicide.
Switzerland has been one of the few countries where assisted suicide is legal, as long as the person ends their life without external assistance.
According to Swiss law, any involvement in assisted suicide is only legal if it is not motivated by self-serving interests and the person seeking death must take independent action.
Following the woman’s death, Swiss police arrested several people including Florian Willet, co-president of The Last Resort, a Swiss affiliate of Exit International.
Others arrested include two Swiss nationals and a Dutch photographer, who reportedly intended to document the use of the Sarco capsule.
The Schaffhausen public prosecutor, Peter Sticher confirmed that the individuals were detained to prevent any collusion or tampering with evidence.
A criminal investigation has been launched on the grounds of suspicion of incitement and aiding and abetting suicide with authorities focusing on whether the use of the Sarco meets legal requirements.
Authorities in Switzerland have arrested several individuals, though their identities have not been fully disclosed. It remains unclear if Florian Willet, a German scientist was among those arrested.
Willet is a prominent figure in the Last Resort, an organization linked to Exit International, which developed and advocates for the Sarco Pod.
A criminal investigation has been launched with police focusing on whether there was illegal incitement or assistance in the woman’s death.
Swiss law allows assisted suicide under strict regulations, making this case a legal test of the Sarco Pod’s compliance with existing laws.
The Sarco Pod was invented by Australian euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschken and it is a contentious device. It is designed to let individuals end their own lives by pressing a button, which releases nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber leading to death by oxygen deprivation (hypoxia).
The Pod is promoted by its creators as a peaceful, quick and autonomous method of ending life without the need for medical assistance.
The Sarco Pod replaces oxygen with nitrogen within the capsule when the button is pressed. The oxygen levels drop rapidly from 21% to 0.05% in less than 30 seconds. This results in the user feeling disoriented and euphoric before losing consciousness and death occurs after approximately five minutes due to lack of oxygen.
Nitschke confirmed that the procedure appeared to go as expected, describing her death as peaceful and dignified. He noted small muscular twitches but stated that the woman was unconscious at that stage.
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The Sarco Pod was developed by the Netherlands-based group Exit International with support from its Swiss counterpart, The Last Resort. Both organizations are prominent advocates of the right to assisted suicide and the use of new technologies in euthanasia.
Fiona Stewart, a director at The Last Resort and Nitschke’s wife also played a role in the woman’s final moments helping her prepare a legal statement affirming her desire to die and the support of her two sons.
Stewart confirmed that a psychiatrist had examined the woman, determining that she was mentally fit to make the decision to end her life.
Authorities had previously warned the operators of the Sarco capsule that its use could lead to criminal charges.
In a letter sent to Exit International’s legal representatives, Schaffhausen prosecutors indicated that using the device could result in criminal proceedings and prison sentences of up to five years.
Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider reiterated in Swiss Parliament that the Sarco does not comply with product safety laws and the use of nitrogen gas for this purpose violates Swiss chemical regulations.
Exit International and its legal advisors maintain that the Sarco device complies with Swiss law. They argue that the capsule is not classified as a medical device, meaning it is not subject to the Swiss Therapeutic Products Act.
A 2021 legal review by Daniel Huerlimann, a Swiss legal expert from the University of St. Gallen,\ supported this view. He concluded that the device did not violate Swiss laws concerning weapons, chemicals or product safety.
However, some Swiss lawmakers argue that the law is vague regarding the use of such technology in assisted suicide with calls to close potential loopholes.
Exit International developed the Sarco capsule at a cost of over $1 million. The device was created as a response to a perceived need for a peaceful, non-medical form of euthanasia. It was intended for people suffering from chronic, incurable conditions.
Dr. Philip Nitschke has been an outspoken advocate for the right to die, gaining international attention for his work on assisted suicide and the development of Sarco.
Nitschke expressed satisfaction with the device’s first use, stating that it had performed as intended providing a peaceful, fast and dignified death.
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