A 64-year-old American woman became the first person to die using a Sarco suicide pod in a secluded Swiss forest, but a post-mortem examination in November 2024 revealed unexplained strangulation marks on her neck. This discovery raises concerns about the device’s intended swift and painless nitrogen gas method, prompting investigations into potential malfunctions or external factors.
The Procedure and Alarming Events
Dr. Florian Willet, president of The Last Resort organization operating the pod, informed authorities that the woman’s body convulsed severely about two and a half minutes after she activated the process. He described such convulsions as typical in nitrogen-induced deaths.
Six and a half minutes after activation, the pod’s iPad emitted a loud alarm. Dr. Willet, who was on a call with Dr. Philip Nitschke, founder of Exit International, stated, “She’s still alive, Philip.” The alarm ceased 30 minutes later, at which point Dr. Willet confirmed, “She really looks dead.” Dr. Willet was the only person present during the event and remained in police custody for 70 days.
Device Location and Mechanism
Authorities located the Sarco pod in a wooded area near a cabin in Merishausen, a rural Swiss region close to the German border. The device, designed for assisted dying, activates with a button press inside the pod. It floods the interior with nitrogen gas, inducing unconsciousness followed by death from oxygen deprivation within minutes.
Investigation Findings
Swiss Chief Prosecutor Peter Sticher suggested the death may not have unfolded as planned, hinting at possible intentional homicide, though no charges were filed against Dr. Willet. Forensic analysis indicated the pod was opened and closed multiple times beforehand to check its seal. A forensic expert noted severe neck injuries on the woman.
Two CCTV cameras recorded the incident. Footage from the interior camera activated twice in quick succession around two minutes after activation, but details remain unclear.
Aftermath for Dr. Willet
Dr. Nitschke reported that Dr. Willet endured significant psychological trauma from his arrest and detention. The Last Resort described him as “broken.” In January, Dr. Willet fell from a third-floor window and received psychiatric treatment. He died by assisted suicide on May 5 this year.
Swiss law bans assisted suicide involving external interference or self-serving motives by assistants.
