Swiss police make arrests over suspected death in ‘suicide capsule’ in woodland

Police in Switzerland say several people have been detained over the suspected death of a person inside a “suicide capsule”.

A criminal investigation has been opened after prosecutors in Schaffhausen were informed by a law firm that an assisted suicide involving the Sarco capsule had taken place near a forest cabin in Merishausen.

They said several people had been taken into custody with investigators looking at possible incitement and accessory to suicide.

The pod, which had never been used before, is a 3D-printed device that cost more than $1m to develop.

Exit International, the group behind the device, said in a statement that a 64-year-old woman from the US had died using it at approximately 4:01pm on Monday.

It added that the woman “had been suffering for many years from a number of serious problems associated with severe immune compromise”.

The group said the co-president of The Last Resort Association, a Swiss affiliate of Exit International, Dr Florian Willet, was the was the only person present.

“The death took place in open air, under a canopy of trees, at a private forest retreat in the Canton of Schaffhausen close to the Swiss-German border,” the statement read.

The group said it had followed legal advice from lawyers which, it said, showed the use of the capsule was lawful in Switzerland.

However, in July, Swiss newspaper Blick reported that Exit International’s lawyers were told by a state prosecutor in Schaffhausen that an operator of the device could face criminal proceedings if used in the region.

Swiss law allows assisted suicide so long as the person takes his or her life with no “external assistance” and those who help the person die do not do so for “any self-serving motive”, according to a government website.

Switzerland is among the only countries in the world where foreigners can travel to legally end their lives, and is home to a number of organisations that are dedicated to helping people kill themselves.

On Monday, health minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider was asked in the Swiss parliament about the legal conditions for the use of the Sarco capsule, and suggested its use would not be legal.

Over the summer, a 54-year-old US woman with multiple health ailments had planned to be the first person to use the device, but those plans were abandoned.

Papyrus operates a 24/7 service and specialises in supporting children and their mental health. HOPELINE247 is a confidential support and advice service for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be you can contact HOPELINE247 for confidential support and practical advice.

Samaritans can be contacted for free, 24/7, on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org