Helium is one of inert gases causing physical asphyxiation, whose excess content in the breathing atmosphere reduces the partial pressure of oxygen and may be fatal after short-term exposure. When breathing a mixture of an inert gas (helium, nitrogen, argon) with a small amount of oxygen, with the possibility of exhaling carbon dioxide, no warning signs characteristic of suffocation are perceived by the subject. Freedom from discomfort and pain, effectiveness, rapid effect, and relatively easy availability of required accessories have resulted in the use of inert gases for suicidal purposes.
The first reports of using the so-called βsuicide bagsβ (also referred to as βexit bagsβ) appeared as early as in the 1990s. A suicide bag is a kit consisting of a plastic bag with a drawstring that is attached to plastic tubing carrying an inert gas: helium, nitrogen, or argon. A person holding breath for a long time suffers from dyspnoea caused by an increase in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood. However, if it is possible to breathe freely and exhale carbon dioxide but oxygen is deficient and the breathing mixture contains an inert gas, the body does not produce an alarm response. Consequently, suicides by inert gas inhalation do not involve dyspnoea and panic about the loss of consciousness.
The inert gas which is most commonly used for suicidal asphyxiation is helium. The element is generally recognized as harmless to the human body, but since it passes into the blood and by competing with oxygen leads to central nervous system (CNS) hypoxia, it can be lethally dangerous. Breathing a mixture of gases containing larger amounts of helium causes, for example, dizziness, balance disorders, and loss of consciousness. Less than one minute of inhaling the gas is sufficient for triggering CNS damage. Breathing helium inside a plastic bag typically results in the loss of consciousness after ca. five breaths. Death may follow after approx. 13 minutes (2β40 minutes).
Cases involving the discovery of a corpse with a plastic bag on the head usually turn out to be suicides, and very rarely homicides and accidents. If the plastic bag found on the scene of the event is accompanied by a cylinder containing helium or a different inert gas, it can be assumed with a probability verging on the certainty that the deceased committed suicide.
Case 1
The body of a man with a plastic bag on the head, a compressed helium cylinder in the background.
Fig.1 Case 1. The body of a man with a plastic bag on the head, a compressed helium cylinder in the background.
Case 2
The body of a man lying in bed with a plastic bag on the head, a compressed helium cylinder in the background.
Fig.2 Case 2. The body of a man lying in bed with a plastic bag on the head, a compressed helium cylinder in the background.
Case 3
The body of a 29-year-old man was discovered in his rented, locked flat. The corpse was situated in a reclining position on a sofa. A plastic bag over the manβs head was tightly wrapped around the neck with tape and connected to a cylinder with compressed helium on the floor by means of a narrow plastic tube.
Fig.3 Case 3. The body of a 29-year-old man was discovered in his rented, locked flat.
Case 4
Germany. A 28-year-old man was found dead in a car. He was in a reclining position in the front passenger seat. The door was open; Next to his left leg in the footwell of the car was a red helium gas bottle (22.5 l) for filling balloons. A plastic bag was placed over the dead man’s head and taped around his neck. A thin, transparent plastic tube led into this bag, the mouth of which protruded into the bag and was fixed there with the same type of insulating tape. The other end was attached to the gas bottle valve. According to investigations, the deceased had been depressed for years and also had financial difficulties. A separation with his long-term partner recently took place.
Fig.4 Case 4. Germany. A 28-year-old man was found dead in a car.
Fig.5 Case 4. A plastic bag was placed over the dead man’s head and taped around his neck.
Case 5
Germany. The information provided by the deceased’s employer led to the 34-year-old’s body being found in his apartment. Two gas-inflated plastic rubbish bags that were pulled together at the neck were placed over the man’s head, from which a hose led via a “T” valve to two helium gas bottles on a side table. The body was properly clothed and in a seated position on the living room couch. The relatives had not known anything about suicidal intentions. However, a suicide note was found on his laptop, as well as a bill for two 22.5 liter bottles of helium balloon gas, which was in the name of the deceased.
Fig.6 Case 5. A 34-year-old man found dead in his apartment.
Case 6
Germany. A 31-year-old man was found dead in his room in a therapeutic community for the mentally ill after not being seen by his caregiver for four days. The body was in a reclining, sitting position on a chair. The clothes were orderly; there was no indication of external violence. A plastic rubbish bag was pulled over his head and held in place with thin household rubber. A helium gas container (22.5 l) stood on the floor, to which a plastic hose was attached using adhesive tape. The valve was not fully closed. The deceased had already repeatedly expressed intentions to commit suicide. A suicide attempt by taking pills in the previous year was known. He was no longer able to practice his profession due to his mental illness (recurrent depressive disorder, schizophrenia).
Fig.7 Case 6. A 31-year-old man was found dead in his room in a therapeutic community for the mentally ill.
Case 7
This death occurred in September 2000, in South Carolina. The deceased was a 60-year-old white woman with a diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma that had spread to the eye, causing double vision. She had a history of depression and had previously made one sui- cide attempt. Her husband discovered her on the living room floor approximately 2 hours after she was last seen alive. She wore a surgical mask over her face, and a clear plastic bag was secured over her head. Waterproof padding had been placed under her buttocks to protect the floor from possible incontinence. Next to her body was an industrial refillable tank labeled βhelium.β A clear plastic hose was attached to the tank valve and led to the plastic bag. Also at the scene were the book Final Exit, Final Exit: The Video, and the Spring 2000 Hemlock Society Newsletter, which included an article on helium and plastic bag suicide.
Fig.8 Case 7. The deceased was a 60-year-old white woman with a diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma that had spread to the eye, causing double vision.
Case 8
A grandmother found the corpse of her grandson in an apartment in a block of flats in one of the city settlements. The corpse was in the room and laid next to the bed, the anterior surface of the body facing the ground. On the man’s head, there was a tightly closed plastic bag attached to his neck with adhesive tape. A plastic tube protruded from under the bag, and the other end was connected to a cylinder filled with helium, which was placed on the decedent’s bed. The cylinder did not have a pressure reducing valve.
Fig.9 Case 8. On the man’s head, there was a tightly closed plastic bag attached to his neck with adhesive tape.
Fig.10 Case 8. A grandmother found the corpse of her grandson.
Case 9
The victim’s head is covered with a plastic bag and a tube extends to the helium tank. Two helium tanks were present at the scene. The book Final Exit by Humphry was discovered near the body, flagged to the chapter ‘A speedier way: Inert gases’. This chapter provides detailed instructions on how to utilize a plastic bag and helium to ensure one’s death.
Fig.11 Case 9. The victim’s head is covered with a plastic bag and a tube extends to the helium tank.
Case 10
A case of asphyxiation due to helium inhalation in Jeju 2008. The deceased was found on the bed. The tube connected with 22.5 l Helium gas bottle. The book The peaceful pill handbook was found on the bed. The described part of suicide method using helium in the book.
Fig.12 Case 10. A case of asphyxiation due to helium inhalation in Jeju 2008.
Case 11
A case of asphyxiation due to helium inhalation in Seoul 2011. The deceased was found whose head and trunk fully covered with plastic bag. The clear plastic tubing connected the plastic bag to the 2 helium tanks.
Fig.13 Case 11. A case of asphyxiation due to helium inhalation in Seoul 2011.
Case 12
A case of asphyxiation due to helium inhalation in a car, Seoul 2009. The deceased was found in the back seat of car. The 2 bottles of helium gases were found in the seat of the car.
Fig.14 Case 12. A case of asphyxiation due to helium inhalation in a car, Seoul 2009. The deceased was found in the back seat of car.
Case 13
A 26-year-old man was found dead lying in his car (keys in the ignition, one window opened slightly). One hand lay near a closed helium-gas cylinder valve, and a plastic bag connected by polypropylene tube was put over his head and fixed with a rubber band. The victim was depressed and had recently looked for information about euthanasia online. Despite the fact that no suicide note was found and that no history of suicide was noted, it was assumed, given the scene, that helium-assisted asphyxiation may have been the cause of death.
Fig.15 Case 13. A 26-year-old man was found dead lying in his car.
Fig.16 Case 13. The victim was depressed and had recently looked for information about euthanasia online.
Case 14
The corpse of an approximately 30-year-old male was found in a hotel room. The man was found with a gas-filled bag placed over his head and sealed with a tape around the neck. A disposable helium tank and its packaging were discovered near the bed. Tanks of this type are available in many conventional and online stores. The room showed no signs of ransacking or struggle; instead, a suicide note was found.
Fig.17 Case 14. The corpse of an approximately 30-year-old male was found in a hotel room.
Case 15
A 28-year-old man with a clinical history of paranoid hallucinatory schizophrenia was found dead in his flat sitting in a chair with a plastic bag over his head, the bag being sealed at the neck with duct tape. Next to his body was a 10 liter tank of balloon helium connected to the plastic bag with plastic tubing. His mouth contained frothy white edema fluid. A suicide note found at the scene mentioned his illness as the principal reason for his suicide. No right-to-die-literature was found.
Fig.18 Case 15. A 28-year-old man with a clinical history of paranoid hallucinatory schizophrenia was found dead in his flat sitting in a chair with a plastic bag over his head.
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