64YO US Woman Becomes First To Die Using 'Suicide Pod'; Several Arrested

A 64-year-old woman from the midwestern US allegedly became the first person to use a 'suicide pod' to die, resulting in several arrests, BBC reported. The woman, whose name has not been disclosed, ended her life in Switzerland, where the portable 3D-printed device called Sarco was recently introduced to help people in dying with the press of a button. The ethics of the newly introduced device have been widely debated despite Switzerland reportedly legally allowing 'assisted suicide'. 

Many Arrested For 'Abetment' Of Woman's Assisted Suicide

The woman used the pod on September 23 at a woodland retreat in the Merishausen, which lies near the Swiss-German border. The police told Agence France-Presse that they received a tip-off from a law firm about the use of the suicide pod. The Last Resort, the developers of Sarco, issued a statement to the media.

She "had been suffering for many years from a number of serious problems associated with severe immune compromise", the statement said. "The death took place in open air, under a canopy of trees, at a private forest retreat,” the statement added, describing her death as “peaceful, fast and dignified.”

Police said that they have "opened criminal proceedings against several people for inducement and aiding and abetting suicide." The number of arrests has not been confirmed yet. Assisted dying is illegal in most countries worldwide, however, thousands have travelled to Switzerland to end their own lives legally.

What Is A Suicide Pod?

The portable suicide pod Sarco was recently introduced in Switzerland to eliminate the administration of lethal medication in the process of assisted suicide for people who wish to die. As per the reports, the pod has been developed by the organisation The Last Resort by euthanasia campaigner Philip Nitschke. The suicide pod assists death by filling the air with nitrogen which replaces oxygen and the person inside it will die due to hypoxia. It was first unveiled in 2019.

However, despite the portable suicide pod, people who want to die will have to undergo a psychological examination to make sure that their intent of dying is the last resort. "Since we have people indeed queuing up, asking to use the Sarco, it's very likely that it will take place pretty soon. But it's all I can say," Resort's chief executive Florian Willet told the media in July 2024. He further added, "I cannot imagine a more beautiful way (to die), of breathing air without oxygen until falling into an eternal sleep." 

How does the suicide pod work?

There is a button inside the pod that starts the process of assisted death. When a person climbs inside the pod, they are asked a couple of questions like what their name is, where they are and whether they are aware and ready for what will happen after pressing the button. 

The automated voice then says, "If you want to die, press the button." Once the button is pressed, there is no going back. Philip Nitschke said that the oxygen starts reducing from 21 per cent to 0.05 per cent. "They will then stay in that state of unconsciousness for... around about five minutes before death will take place," he further added. He also told media, "Once you press that button, there's no way of going back."

The private information about assisted death will not be released in the public

However, the first death and its day, month and year have not been revealed. It will be private information that won't be released to the public. This is because "we really don't want a person's desire for a peaceful passing Switzerland to turn into a media circus", said lawyer Fiona Stewart, the organisation's legal head. 

On being asked if the trial will be conducted this year, the lawyer replied, "I would say yes." Moreover assisted death will cost 18 Swiss francs ($20) for nitrogen usage. 

The suicide pod, however, is covered with controversies. People are condemning it raising legal and ethical issues. This has further affected Switzerland's policy of allowing assisted death. 

Another incident of euthanasia happened recently 

Recently, an incident made headlines where an elderly couple euthanised themselves together through lethal medical assistance. Netherland's couple, Jan and Els, who had been together since kindergarten underwent euthanasia on June 7. The only reason the elderly couple gave was, "There is no other option." They felt that their life had become too painful and not suitable for the current times. So they willingly euthanised themselves together.  

What do you think about assisted death through the portable suicide pod? What opinion do you have about euthanasia or any other kind of assisted death?