The first-ever reported death inside Philip Nitschke’s Sarco Pod took place in Switzerland last September.
The suicide pod, invented by Nitschke, otherwise known as “Dr Death”, allegedly killed a 64-year-old American woman. Arrests followed as the invention was not approved for use in Switzerland.
The Sacro Pod has been touted as a method of assisted suicide by its inventor, who claims it leads to a “euphoric” death, asphyxiating its occupant with nitrogen gas.
But an investigation into the death uncovered strangulation marks around the deceased woman’s neck, leading to allegations of foul play.
Police questioning later found that the woman experienced severe muscle cramps a few minutes into the process, and she didn’t die for at least six minutes. She was reported dead by an onlooker half an hour later.
Questions have therefore been raised about how effective and painless Dr Death’s Sacro Pod is in practice.
Last month, SPUC reported on the case of a young woman allegedly euthanised by a doctor and two nurses using a pillow after a botched attempt at palliative care. A civil action has been brought against the people involved in her suspected murder by asphyxiation.
SPUC Comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “This horrifying case exposes the dark reality behind Dr Death’s promotion of suicide as a somehow ‘euphoric’ experience, a dangerous illusion that cheapens life.
“The gross romanticisation of suicide as an answer to bodily and even psychological challenges has taken hold in the West, which also sees such cold methods as a cheap alternative to effective care and compassion.
“Far from being safe and serene, assisted suicide can be a scary and lonely death forced on individuals let down by medical services and the state. Britain must not go down this dangerous path that can only lead to more death and heartbreak.”
