A woman who became the first person to die in a “suicide pod” heard three words before she died.
The 64-year-old American chose to end her life on September 23 inside a Sarco pod in a forested area of Merishausen, Switzerland. The pod created by Australian Dr Philip Nitschke sees the chamber fill with nitrogen gas causing fatal hypoxia.
Police are investigating the possibility of foul play after she was discovered with what appeared to be strangulation marks on her neck.
Footage of the incident is alleged to show that the woman was given an unnerving three-word instruction before she died by Florian Willet, president of The Last Resort company, which is behind the pod.
According to a report by Mail Online, the woman entered the capsule at 3:50pm, and was asked “Do you want to talk to Philip?” by Willet.
Nitschke, who was dubbed ‘Dr Death’ by some, was following proceedings remotely in Germany at the time.
The woman responded: “No, I’m okay,” and pressed the activation button. Willet then told her three words from outside the pod. They were simply: “Keep on breathing.”
The pod’s motion-activated internal camera was switched on twice in quick succession after one minute and 57 seconds.
Dutch Daily outlet De Volkskrant said a dark spot appearing in the fogged-up window was likely her knees being raised, something Willet told police was likely because her body was “strongly cramping”. The same thing occurred after two and a half minutes.
At 4:01pm, Willet’s iPad made an alarm sound believed to be the the woman’s heart rate monitor sounding six and a half minutes after she activated the pod.
De Volkskrant explained this was likely because the heart takes time to stop after consciousness is lost. Willet is thought to have been confused by the sound, however.
He told Dr Nitschke: “She’s still alive, Philip,” before peering into the Sarco. After 30 minutes, Willet had reason to believe the woman had died. “She had her eyes closed,” he told Nitschke.” And she was breathing very deeply. Then the breathing slowed down. And then it stopped… she really looks dead.”
Reports indicate that Nitschke has said a similar contraption will be made following the original being seized by Swiss police’s investigation into the death.
The Mirror reports that the dead woman was reportedly suffering from skull base osteomyelitis, and the Mail Online said the woman had been trying to die for two years after a diagnosis of a “very serious illness that involves severe pain”.
An informant told Swiss media that this condition could mimic the appearance of strangulation marks due to bone marrow infection.
According to The Last Resort, her treatment options for osteomyelitis were limited due to an immune system disorder.
The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email [email protected] or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
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