The use of ‘suicide pods,’ also known as ‘suicide capsules,’ has been suspended in Switzerland following a criminal investigation into the death of a 64-year-old American woman, who became the first person to use the device. Advocacy groups reported that over 370 individuals were in the process of applying for access to the Sarco pods, but all applications have now been halted.
The Sarco pod is a 3D-printed device that allows individuals to end their lives in a reclining seat by suffocation. Users activate the device by pressing a button that releases nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber, leading to unconsciousness and death within minutes. Developed by Dr. Philip Nitschke, founder of the non-profit group Exit International, the device costs over $1 million.
The portable capsule has sparked significant legal and ethical concerns in Switzerland, particularly after the American woman used the pod in a forest near the German border. According to the organization ‘Last Resort,’ which showcased the Sarco pod in Zurich in July, the woman had suffered from serious health issues related to severe immune compromise. They described her death as occurring “in open air, under a canopy of trees, at a private forest retreat.” Florian Willet, co-president of Last Resort and the only other person present, described her passing as “peaceful, fast, and dignified.”
In the wake of her death, Swiss police arrested Willet and several associates linked to the pod. Authorities seized the Sarco device, and the deceased was sent for an autopsy. On the same day, Swiss Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider informed parliament that the Sarco’s use would not be permitted. However, the organization behind the capsule maintains that their legal team believes the device’s usage is lawful.