In a grim turn of events, Dr. Florian Willet, aged 47, known for his pro-euthanasia stance and involvement with the world's first so-called suicide pod, has died after a tumultuous period following his arrest last year. The activist was reportedly present during the tragic death of a 64-year-old American woman, who utilized the innovative device to take her own life in a Swiss forest in September.
Philip Nitschke, the inventor of the suicide pod, confirmed Dr. Willet's death through an announcement to BBC News, revealing that he died via assisted suicide in Germany. Mr. Nitschke further remarked on the psychological trauma that Dr. Willet endured after being arrested and detained in connection to the woman's death. "In the final months of his life, Dr. Florian Willet shouldered more than any man should," he stated.
Dr. Willet had established The Last Resort, an organization aimed at facilitating the use of the suicide pod, which advocates claim offers an alternative assisted dying option devoid of drugs or medical intervention. However, the device, manufactured by the company Sarco, has faced significant opposition, with critics arguing that its design may glamorize suicide and raise concerns about the absence of medical oversight.
Following his arrest, Dr. Willet spent 70 days in pre-trial detention where authorities scrutinized whether he had intentionally caused the woman’s death, an allegation for which he was never formally charged. The mental strain of these proceedings, compounded by a severe fall from a third-floor window that required surgical intervention, left him in need of comprehensive psychiatric care before his untimely passing on May 5.
While assisted dying is sanctioned under specific regulations in Switzerland, it remains illegal in the UK and most European nations, prompting many individuals to travel to Switzerland seeking autonomy over their end-of-life decisions. The Swiss prosecutor's office has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Dr. Willet's case as discussions around euthanasia and assisted dying continue to unfold across Europe.
