‘Aiding and Abetting’

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A 64-year-old American woman from the US Midwest died Monday in Switzerland by assisted suicide, prompting authorities to launch criminal proceedings and arrest multiple individuals involved in the operation, NBC News reported.

The woman, whose name remains undisclosed, died in a private forest retreat in the Canton of Schaffhausen. She had suffered from a severely compromised immune system for years, according to The Last Resort, the company responsible for overseeing the procedure.

Authorities said the detained individuals were operating a capsule device that allowed users to die peacefully by inhaling nitrogen gas.

Prosecutors opened a criminal case for “incitement and aiding and abetting suicide,” as Swiss law allows for assisted suicide only if the person takes their own life “without selfish motives” or direct external assistance. Prosecutor Peter Sticher said those involved had been warned of potential legal consequences prior to the procedure, according to CBS News.

The capsule, known as Sarco, was developed by Exit International, a Netherlands-based assisted suicide group, in collaboration with Philip Nitschke, an Australian physician. The device cost more than $1 million to develop and uses 3D printing technology.

While Exit International claims the device offers a peaceful, non-drug-assisted death, Swiss authorities are investigating whether its use violates local laws on product safety and the use of chemicals.

Assisted suicide has been legal in Switzerland for years. However, the use of this particular device has sparked debate and scrutiny.