“She’s Still Alive”: First Person To Use Euthanasia Pod Found With “Strangulation Marks” On Neck

A secluded forest near Merishausen, Switzerland, became the center of controversy when a so-called “suicide capsule” claimed its first life under deeply questionable circumstances.

The death of an unnamed 64-year-old woman from the U.S. Midwest led to multiple arrests after she became the first person to use the “Sarco” pod—a high-tech device promising a “peaceful, dignified” end to life.

Highlights

A U.S. woman became the first to use the Sarco pod—a high-tech device that promises a “peaceful, dignified” end to life.
The death of the mother-of-two raised disturbing questions after an autopsy reportedly found “strangulation marks” on her neck
Dr. Florian Willet, president of The Last Resort—the organization behind the Sarco pod—was arrested.
Exit International was the organization behind the development of the $1 million device.

The mother-of-two was reportedly found with strangulation marks on her neck, raising suspicions of an intentional homicide.

A 64-year-old American woman became the first person to use the Sarco pod—a high-tech device that promises a “peaceful, dignified” end to life

“She’s Still Alive”: First Person To Use Euthanasia Pod Found With “Strangulation Marks” On Neck

Image credits: The Last Resort

“She’s Still Alive”: First Person To Use Euthanasia Pod Found With “Strangulation Marks” On Neck

Image credits: The Last Resort

Dr. Florian Willet, president of The Last Resort—the organization behind the Sarco pod—was arrested by Swiss police shortly after the woman’s death inside the nitrogen-filled capsule.

The doctor, who was the only individual present when the woman died, currently remains in custody, according to UK news outlet LBC.

Philip Nitschke, inventor of the Sarco pod and founder of the Netherlands-based assisted suicide group Exit International, was present via video call during the woman’s death. However, due to technical issues, he was reportedly unable to observe the entire event.

Exit International is also the organization behind the development of the $1 million device.

An autopsy reportedly revealed “strangulation marks” on the woman’s neck, prompting Schaffhausen’s public prosecutor, Peter Sticher, to “broaden the investigation to consider the possibility of murder,” according to local news outlets.

The death of the mother-of-two raised disturbing questions after an autopsy reportedly found “strangulation marks” on her neck

“She’s Still Alive”: First Person To Use Euthanasia Pod Found With “Strangulation Marks” On Neck

Image credits: The Last Resort

“She’s Still Alive”: First Person To Use Euthanasia Pod Found With “Strangulation Marks” On Neck

Image credits: The Last Resort

LBC reported that about six-and-a-half minutes after the American woman pressed the button to end her life, Dr. Florian told the pod’s designer over video call: “She’s still alive, Philip”.

Both groups, The Last Resort and Exit International, released a joint statement on Tuesday denying the claims of injuries on the woman’s neck.

“The Last Resort and Exit International maintain that the Sarco worked precisely as planned and the user died peacefully from nitrogen hypoxia,” read the statement. “The allegations of intentional homicide are ridiculous and absurd. The Last Resort and Exit International strongly reject these allegations.”

Both The Last Resort and Exit International deny foul play, releasing a joint statement asserting the pod functioned as intended

“She’s Still Alive”: First Person To Use Euthanasia Pod Found With “Strangulation Marks” On Neck

Image credits: The Last Resort

The groups maintain that the recorded film footage from two cameras, one inside and one outside the euthanasia pod, captured the woman entering the pod without any assistance.

“The woman closed the lid of the Sarco unaided. The woman pressed the internal activation button herself. The lid of the Sarco was not opened until forensic staff arrived at the scene of the Sarco at 19.22 on 23 September 2024,” the statement said.

“Furthermore, the level of oxygen was recorded and can be shown to have remained at lethal levels within the capsule until well after the woman had died,” the statement added.

The Last Resort previously told the Daily Mail that around 120 applicants wished to use the Sarco to bring their lives to an end. However, usage of the Sarco pod was suspended as the investigation into the first user’s death is currently underway.

If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm or suicide ideation, help is available. _International Hotlines _provide resources.

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What do you think ?

POST

LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 weeks ago

So... what is being implied here? The nitrogen didn't work, so Dr. Florian ripped open the pod and strangled her himself? Or the pod has some secret built-in "ligature" feature that whips a rope noose over the person's neck when they press the "unalive me" button? Or maybe, just maybe, because it's DIFFICULT TO TEST A SUICIDE DEVICE, the nitrogen mixture perhaps wasn't perfect and the woman had a hypercapnic alarm response because she felt like she was suffocating, and clawed/grabbed at her own neck? I'm actually all for voluntary euthanasia and I believe in the right to die, especially in cases where the person is suffering from a terminal illness or condition or is suffering with no hope of recovery. I hope that the facts actually come out in this case, as terminally-ill patients have been fighting for the right to die on their own terms for a long time now.

48points

Sue User 3 weeks ago

My thought exactly. She may have done this to herself. Hopefully the video helps figure things out.

17points

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Sojourner 2 weeks ago

Is a minor allowed to use the device? I'm 15 and want to give up.

2points

Abe Hartman 2 weeks ago

If the mans in custody then there's probably more evidence than that

2points

Tiger 2 weeks ago

I couldn’t agree with you more Lakota 💯

1point

StrangeOne 2 weeks ago

That's the first thing I thought. It could have even been that it took longer than she thought and she suffered more than expected and wanted it to end.

0points

Mike Morton 2 weeks ago

Honestly I don't think Dr Florian would have done that, seems like the nitrogen levels were quite dangerous? I think it's just a case of the nitrogen mixture levels not being perfected yet /:

-1point

Ace 3 weeks ago

Please change the clickbait headline/title. There's nothing to those allegations.

33points

Scotira 3 weeks ago (edited)

I tried to find some credible sources however 🙄 couldn't find any 🤷‍♀️ edit: by credible I mean Swiss originated sources however credible those might be 😅

9points

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TribbleThinking 3 weeks ago

Why does it take a million dollar device? Just an older banger with an exhaust pipe does the same job without all the furore.

5points

Becky Samuel 3 weeks ago

Because dignity. Because people with degenerative conditions often aren't able to do what needs to be done for themselves. Because who the heck has an 'old banger' just sitting about? Because people actually care about those who are going to find them and don't want to traumatise them.

18points

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TribbleThinking 3 weeks ago (edited)

I take your point about the dignity, but pretty pod aside (a similar enclosure should cost a fraction of that), I can't see what would cost £1 million that couldn't be provided by inert gas fire extinguishers, frozen nitrogen or the old banger(that is living its happy retirement on my driveway). I'm not being callous, merely curious and I suffer from an illness that makes this very relevant.

3points

WubiDubi 3 weeks ago

Fake news. LBC is no longer a credible news agency, UK version of Fox (quality).

3points

Guess Undheit 3 weeks ago

False accusations of murder have been the entire opposition claim against self-euthanasia. Even here where she entered voluntarily, pushed the button herself, and there was no violence, liars STILL make the false claim. Like the clown that "wrote" the headline.

3points

Archanae 3 weeks ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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Pyla 2 weeks ago

FIRE BINITHA

2points

Martina Külling 2 weeks ago

The comment in swiss radio and newspaper: But what about the alleged strangulation marks? A person close to The Last Resort told the NZZ that the deceased suffered from osteomyelitis at the base of the skull, i.e. an infection of the bone marrow. This caused the suspicious men

2points

Kristen Veader 2 weeks ago

I think they need to PUT THE CUSHION THE RIGHT WAY AROUND in all the pictures! The way it is now, your feet would be elevated so your knees bend backwards! (it's too far down to be under your knees) I think the bump is supposed to be under your head.... at least I hope so!

1point

Kristal 3 weeks ago (edited)

Can't false strangulation looking marks show up? I'm not in the medical field at all but, I mean, if there is untampered proof then maybe they should be looking at the medical examiner for incompetence

1point

Martina Külling 2 weeks ago

This was in our newspaper and srf radio But what about the alleged strangulation marks? A person close to The Last Resort told the NZZ that the deceased suffered from osteomyelitis at the base of the skull, i.e. an infection of the bone marrow. This caused the suspicious men

0points

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Fry Me A Liver 2 weeks ago

The future is now! sb-6723fcd...37-png.jpg

0points

Abe Hartman 2 weeks ago

The biggest issue I see with self-euthanasia is the risk of normalizing it.

0points

LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 weeks ago

Why shouldn't it be normalized - for the provably terminally ill?

5points

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ScootyPuffJr 2 weeks ago

Luckily, there are strict rules as to who is allowed to do it--at least in the few US places where it's legal. As someone with horribly painful medical issues that my insurance company refuses to cover procedures for, I wish the rules weren't as iron clad. And having watched several older relatives die painful, slow, undignified deaths from diseases? I WISH this would be normalized. We wouldn't dare let our pets suffer the way we allow other humans to, even our loved ones.

4points

John Harrison 2 weeks ago (edited)

Normalizing it would be GOOD thing. We WANT it normalized.

-1point

antoinette maldari 2 weeks ago

Maybe it's the lighting, but that cushion/mattress pad looks kinda worn?

0points

Serhii 3 weeks ago

Test

0points

Libstak 3 weeks ago

If the gas didn't work, it would have made more sense to suffocate her than strangle her. Don't know what to think, they may have or there is another reason those marks are there.

0points

Marketable 2 weeks ago

Kudos to Binitha Jacob for a well-written, thoughtful, well-investigated, neutral article! Nice to read real journalism that was not investigated and written by political conservatives. As for the allegations, I note that the woman wanted to die, no question, so my view is even assuming someone did step in mercifully to finish the job, there is no crime - regardless of the various levels and degrees of our homicide laws.

-1point

n75mk9nk2n 2 weeks ago

What's the difference? This woman wanted to no longer be alive. She is now no longer alive. Whether she was 'strangulated' (stupid censorship) or nitrogen'd, the company that she wanted to unalive her has succeeded in doing so.

-1point

Max Fox 2 weeks ago

I will only support voluntary euthanasia when medical care is affordable. It is far to easy for it to force poor people to do this because they don't want to become a burden on their families if they have a treatable condition, but the treatment is too expensive for them. I believe that the insurance companies will find ways to convince or force their customers to use a Sarco, which would cost the Insurance company $20, instead of treatments that would cost the Insurance company hundreds of thousands.

-2points

Mari 2 weeks ago (edited)

Yes, people don't believe this could happen but I already heared from cases in The Netherlands that eldery people are "pushed" to commit euthanasia. It starts with praising people who chose to commit euthanasia (in the media) those people chose for a dignified end and did not cause any burden to their childeren. Hearing this all time creates a pressure or expectation, insecure eldery people begin to doubt and consider whether they should not also choose euthanasia after all. Because they don't want to be a burden for their childeren or society. And the greedy insurance industry will try everything to target their losses.

-1point

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POST

LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 weeks ago

48points

Sue User 3 weeks ago

My thought exactly. She may have done this to herself. Hopefully the video helps figure things out.

17points

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Sojourner 2 weeks ago

Is a minor allowed to use the device? I'm 15 and want to give up.

2points

Abe Hartman 2 weeks ago

If the mans in custody then there's probably more evidence than that

2points

Tiger 2 weeks ago

I couldn’t agree with you more Lakota 💯

1point

StrangeOne 2 weeks ago

That's the first thing I thought. It could have even been that it took longer than she thought and she suffered more than expected and wanted it to end.

0points

Mike Morton 2 weeks ago

Honestly I don't think Dr Florian would have done that, seems like the nitrogen levels were quite dangerous? I think it's just a case of the nitrogen mixture levels not being perfected yet /:

-1point

Ace 3 weeks ago

Please change the clickbait headline/title. There's nothing to those allegations.

33points

Scotira 3 weeks ago (edited)

I tried to find some credible sources however 🙄 couldn't find any 🤷‍♀️ edit: by credible I mean Swiss originated sources however credible those might be 😅

9points

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TribbleThinking 3 weeks ago

Why does it take a million dollar device? Just an older banger with an exhaust pipe does the same job without all the furore.

5points

Becky Samuel 3 weeks ago

18points

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TribbleThinking 3 weeks ago (edited)

3points

WubiDubi 3 weeks ago

Fake news. LBC is no longer a credible news agency, UK version of Fox (quality).

3points

Guess Undheit 3 weeks ago

3points

Archanae 3 weeks ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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Pyla 2 weeks ago

FIRE BINITHA

2points

Martina Külling 2 weeks ago

2points

Kristen Veader 2 weeks ago

1point

Kristal 3 weeks ago (edited)

1point

Martina Külling 2 weeks ago

0points

Load More Replies...

Fry Me A Liver 2 weeks ago

The future is now! sb-6723fcd...37-png.jpg

0points

Abe Hartman 2 weeks ago

The biggest issue I see with self-euthanasia is the risk of normalizing it.

0points

LakotaWolf (she/her) 2 weeks ago

Why shouldn't it be normalized - for the provably terminally ill?

5points

Load More Replies...

ScootyPuffJr 2 weeks ago

4points

John Harrison 2 weeks ago (edited)

Normalizing it would be GOOD thing. We WANT it normalized.

-1point

antoinette maldari 2 weeks ago

Maybe it's the lighting, but that cushion/mattress pad looks kinda worn?

0points

Serhii 3 weeks ago

Test

0points

Libstak 3 weeks ago

If the gas didn't work, it would have made more sense to suffocate her than strangle her. Don't know what to think, they may have or there is another reason those marks are there.

0points

Marketable 2 weeks ago

-1point

n75mk9nk2n 2 weeks ago

-1point

Max Fox 2 weeks ago

-2points

Mari 2 weeks ago (edited)

-1point

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“She’s Still Alive”: First Person To Use Euthanasia Pod Found With “Strangulation Marks” On Neck

A 64-year-old American woman became the first person to use the Sarco pod—a high-tech device that promises a “peaceful, dignified” end to life

The death of the mother-of-two raised disturbing questions after an autopsy reportedly found “strangulation marks” on her neck

Both The Last Resort and Exit International deny foul play, releasing a joint statement asserting the pod functioned as intended

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“She’s Still Alive”: First Person To Use Euthanasia Pod Found With “Strangulation Marks” On Neck

A 64-year-old American woman became the first person to use the Sarco pod—a high-tech device that promises a “peaceful, dignified” end to life

The death of the mother-of-two raised disturbing questions after an autopsy reportedly found “strangulation marks” on her neck

Both The Last Resort and Exit International deny foul play, releasing a joint statement asserting the pod functioned as intended

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