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Topics: Mental Health, Court, Health
Joe Yates
Topics: Mental Health, Court, Health
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
The creators of a new 'suicide pod' have hit back at 'absurd' claims the first woman to use it may have been strangled.
Last month, an anonymous 64-year-old from the US was euthanized by way of the Sarco 'suicide pod', which was created by assisted suicide organization The Last Resort, a Swiss company and part of Exit International.
She made the decision to use the capsule after being diagnosed with a severely compromised immune system.
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The 3D-printed capsule, created by Dr. Philip Nitschke, was put into action for the first time when an unnamed 64-year-old woman from the US climbed into the machine, which was designed to provide assisted suicide for patients.
The company describes itself on the website as 'a drug-free means of an elective, peaceful and dignified death'.
It continued: "The use of the Sarco is free to approved users. A good death is a fundamental human right."
The pod had yet to be approved by government officials and law enforcement, and as such has resulted in the arrest of several people over the woman's death.
Chief prosecutor Peter Sticher has raised the suspicion of 'intentional homicide' after suggesting in court that the American may have suffered strangulation prior to her death.
A forensic doctor who spoke to the prosecutor claimed the woman had suffered serious neck injuries. However, this has not been backed by an official autopsy report.
Speaking to Swiss outlet NZZ, a person close to The Last Resort claimed the marks on the woman's neck may have been caused by an alleged diagnosis of skull base osteomyelitis, which can manifest as an infection of the bone marrow.
The Last Resort and Exit International have insisted the unnamed woman entered the pod willingly and pushed a button, which filled the pod with nitrogen, euthanizing her as planned.
In a joint statement, they described Sticher's allegation as 'ridiculous and absurd'.
Co-president of The Last Resort Dr Florian Willet, who was the only person present at the time the machine was switched on, has been in custody ever since as prosecutors determine whether he had 'selfish reasons' for assisting the woman's death.
In Switzerland, it is legal to assist in suicide unless there is a motive for your participation - such as revenge or financial gain.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.