A death shrouded in mystery has captivated attention after the first woman to use a ‘suicide pod’ in Switzerland was found with strange strangulation marks on her neck. The 64-year-old American’s demise in a tranquil forest has stirred questions about the safety of these pods, designed for a peaceful end via nitrogen gas.
The shocking details emerged from a post-mortem, leaving authorities to probe possible equipment failure or foul play. Dr Florian Willet, president of The Last Resort – the organisation behind these devices – shared that the woman appeared to convulse a few minutes into the process, which he claimed can occur in nitrogen-related deaths. However, the pod’s alarm went off six minutes into use, and despite Dr Willet’s claim of her continued life, the harrowing process concluded with him declaring her dead 30 minutes later.
Dr Willet, the only person there, was detained by police for 70 days. Known for inventing the device, Dr Philip Nitschke described the distress Dr Willet faced post-arrest. He later died by assisted suicide after a tragic fall from a window.
This cutting-edge technology, found in a secluded Swiss woodland, faces scrutiny as Swiss authorities, led by Chief Prosecutor Peter Sticher, explore potential homicide—a claim Dr Willet wasn’t officially charged with. Recorded footage and the disturbing neck injuries keep this story in the spotlight, with many wondering if there’s more than meets the eye.
Swiss law firmly stands against assisted suicide with external involvement. Yet, the incompleteness of the footage and the unconventional death raises difficult questions, making this case anything but closed.