This story just broke last night, but it keeps growing. I am sure there will be further updates to share in the days ahead:
From the Atlanta-Journal Constitution:
The death had been planned for months, authorities say. Two helium tanks were purchased, along with an “exit bag,” or hood to be placed over the suicidal man’s head.
Thomas “Ted” Goodwin, 63, formerly of Kennesaw, and Claire Blehr, 76, of Atlanta, would observe the death of the man they were told suffered from pancreatic cancer. In truth, the man was a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent conducting a sting operation at a residence in Dawson County.
On Wednesday, authorities say, Goodwin walked the undercover agent through the steps that would have killed him. He demonstrated how he would hold down the undercover agent’s hands to prohibit him from removing the “exit bag.” (Emphasis added)
At that point, other agents moved in and arrested Goodwin, said GBI spokesman John Bankhead. He, Blehr and two men in Maryland were taken into custody on charges they helped John Celmer, 58, of Cumming, commit suicide by the same method last June.
Celmer’s family found his death to be suspicious. They contacted the Cumming Police Department, which led to the GBI’s involvement.
Bankhead said agents found evidence in Celmer’s house linking him to the Final Exit Network, a Marietta-based volunteer organization —- of which Goodwin is president —- supposedly dedicated to serving individuals who are suffering from an incurable illness or intolerable pain.
The detail about holding the hands down to prohibit a “client” from removing the plastic bag opens up the very real possibility that members of this group have slid – from time to time – from “assisting a suicide” to outright murder.
That’s only one of many very good reasons that seems to have sparked a multi-state investigation of the Final Exit Network, who brag about their more or less open-door policy of assisting just about anyone who is old, ill or disabled.
In at least one case, though, they appear to have even crossed that line. Back in 2007, the Phoenix New Times published an investigative report about the suspected involvement of members of the group in the death of Jana Van Voorhis, who struggled with issues related to depression for many years.
Yesterday, the county attorney in charge of the Van Voorhis case announced it is now on the “front burner.” Further, that case is now part of a national investigation spanning six states.
This investigation could get to look like kicking over a rock – lots of ugly crawly things squirming to get away from the light. It looks like this investigation includes search warrants, which could include seizure of computer records, examination of bank accounts, etc. They’d better hope no one in their band of zealots got too sloppy or greedy.
This story isn’t going away any time soon. Back with more as it somes in. –Stephen Drake