First Use of Controversial Sarco Suicide Pod in Switzerland

The controversial Sarco 'suicide pod' has been used for the first time in Switzerland, resulting in the death of a 64-year-old American woman who had been suffering from severe health issues. After she activated the device, nitrogen gas flooded the chamber, leading to her unconsciousness and eventual death by hypoxia within minutes. Following the incident at a forest cabin in Merishausen, Swiss police detained several individuals, including members of The Last Resort organization, which operates the pod, on suspicion of aiding and abetting suicide. The inventor, Dr. Philip Nitschke, confirmed the process was executed as designed and claimed it provided a 'peaceful' death. This development raises significant ethical and legal questions about assisted dying in Switzerland, where assisted suicide has been legal for years but active euthanasia remains banned. The Schaffhausen public prosecutor's office has opened a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the use of the Sarco capsule.