Suicide by asphyxiation using helium is the most widely promoted
method of "self-deliverance" by right-to-die advocates. However,
little is known about persons committing such suicides or the
circumstances and manner in which they are completed. Prior reports of
suicides by asphyxiation involving helium were reviewed and deaths
determined by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
to be helium-associated asphyxial suicides occurring between January
1, 2000 and December 31, 2008 were included in a new case series
examined in this article. The 10 asphyxial suicides involving helium
identified in North Carolina tended to occur almost exclusively in
non-Hispanic, white men who were relatively young (M age = 41.1 +/-
11.6). In 6 of 10 cases, decedents suffered from significant
psychiatric dysfunction; in 3 of these 6 cases, psychiatric disorders
were present comorbidly with substance abuse. In none these cases were
decedents suffering from terminal illness. Most persons committing
suicide with helium were free of terminal illness but suffered from
psychiatric and/or substance use disorders.

(C) 2010 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Suicide By Asphyxiation Due to Helium Inhalation
Howard, Matthew O.; Hall, Martin T.; Edwards, Jeffrey D.; Vaughn,
Michael G.; Perron, Brian E.; Winecker, Ruth E.
American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology., POST AUTHOR
CORRECTIONS, 20 July 2010
doi: 10.1097/PAF.0b013e3181ed7a2d

http://journals.lww.com/amjforensicmedicine/toc/publishahead


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