Swiss authorities open probe, make arrests after woman dies in ‘suicide capsule’

Swiss authorities have opened an investigation after a woman reportedly died by assisted suicide in a so-called suicide capsule, invented by an Australian citizen. The capsule was apparently used for the first time on Monday afternoon (Sep 23) in a forest close to the German border in the Swiss town of Merishausen. The 64-year-old woman was an American citizen, who made a statement to her lawyers before her death that she was ending her life on her own wish and she had the support of her two sons.

The woman said she was embracing death after being diagnosed with a serious condition that caused her severe pain. According to her lawyer Fiona Stewart, the woman had been examined by a psychiatrist beforehand who had deemed her to be mentally fit.

Police make arrests

Swiss police said they have arrested several people in connection with the woman’s suspected assisted suicide. A spokesperson for the police in the canton of Schaffhausen in northern Switzerland said they were also investigating whether other criminal offences had been committed.

At the time of the woman’s death, a German scientist named Florian Willet was present at the scene. Willet is one of the leading members of the Last Resort, an organisation responsible for the capsule and the Swiss arm of Exit International, a nonprofit organisation that lobbies for the legalisation of assisted suicide.

It was not clear whether Willet is among those who were detained by the authorities.

Willet later said the woman’s death has been “peaceful, quick and dignified”.

Philip Nitschke, the inventor of the suicide capsule, said on X that it had been “an idyllic, peaceful death in a Swiss forest”.

Assisted suicide legal in Switzerland

Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland, but with some conditions. The law allows the practice as long as the individual takes his or her life with no “external assistance” and the person who is helping the individual die does so without any “self-serving motive”.

Get help & support for suicide

If you or someone you know wants help for mental well-being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. You can contact local authorities and also encourage the person to contact asuicide prevention hotline.WION does not make any recommendations.

(With inputs from agencies)