A 64-year-old American woman has become the first person to use a suicide pod to end her life. However, after her death, several people have been detained in Switzerland. On Monday afternoon, the woman died in a 3D-printed suicide machine near the Swiss-German border. This machine is also called the Tesla of euthanasia. Before taking her last breath, this dangerous machine gave a scary message. The machine said, “If you want to die, press this button.” Switzerland is one of the few countries where foreigners can legally receive assistance for suicide. However, on Monday, Health Minister Elizabeth Baum-Schneider said that the machine is not legal. She said, “This machine does not meet the demands of safety law and therefore should not be used.”
Local police have said that the incident reportedly took place near a forest. Police in northern Switzerland said on Tuesday that several people have been detained in connection with the death. The arrested individuals are under investigation for alleged incitement and accessory to suicide. A photographer for a Dutch newspaper was among those arrested, the outlet said on Tuesday. The photographer was to have taken pictures of the use of the suicide pod.
This is how the machine works
Swiss authorities said the suicide pod has not yet been approved for use. The controversial machine’s chamber is filled with nitrogen, causing the user’s oxygen levels to drop to dangerous levels. A person inside the pod can fall unconscious after it is activated and die within about 10 minutes. The pod is controlled from inside and has an emergency exit button.
‘Made for an easy death’
Florian Willet, co-president of The Last Resort, the Swiss affiliate of Exit International, was the only witness to the woman’s death. He described the death as peaceful, quick and easy. Dr. Philipp Nitschke, director of Exit International, said on Tuesday that he was pleased that the Sarco performed exactly as it was designed. Nitschke had earlier said that lawyers in Switzerland had advised that the device would be considered legal in the country.