U.S. woman dies inside ‘suicide capsule’ in Switzerland

Police in northern Switzerland have detained several people after the suspected death of a 64-year-old American woman using a “suicide capsule,” authorities announced on Tuesday.

The woman, reportedly from the U.S. Midwest , died Monday near the German border inside a “Sarco” capsule, a 3D-printed device developed by the Netherlands-based assisted suicide group Exit International. She is believed to be the first person to die inside a Sarco.

The device allows users to press a button that releases nitrogen gas, which causes the person to fall asleep and then suffocate within minutes.

Swiss law allows assisted suicide if individuals end their own lives without external help and if those assisting do not act out of self-interest. Police in Schaffhausen said a local law firm reported the incident, which occurred near a forest cabin.

Several individuals have been detained, and an investigation is underway into potential incitement and accessory to suicide.

In addition, Dutch newspaper Volkskrant reported that police detained one of its photographers trying to document the Sarco’s use.

Exit International said the woman was severely severely immunocompromised and described her death as peaceful. Florian Willet, co-president of the group’s Swiss affiliate, was the only person present, the group said.

Dr. Philip Nitschke, Exit International’s founder, praised the Sarco’s performance, claiming it provided “an elective, non-drug, peaceful death.”

On Monday, however, Switzerland’s Health Minister told Parliament that the Sarco might be illegal, citing safety and chemical regulations.

Switzerland is among the few countries in the world where foreigners can travel to legally end their lives and has a number of organizations that are dedicated to helping people kill themselves. However, Switzerland does not allow euthanasia, which involves healthcare practitioners killing patients with a lethal injection at their request and in specific circumstances.

Some Swiss lawmakers have argued that the law is unclear and have sought to close what they call legal loopholes.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.

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