A man from the UK has been arrested on suspicion of encouraging or assisting the suicide of a British citizen in Switzerland, with the investigation potentially expanding to include dozens of other deaths.
Sean Davison, who has previously admitted to helping individuals travel to Switzerland to end their lives, was arrested by Dorset Police last year. Details of his arrest only came to light recently. ITV News understands that the arrest pertains to the death of a 79-year-old British woman who flew to Switzerland in 2023, but Mr. Davison has stated that authorities are also investigating his involvement in 29 additional cases.
Dorset Police confirmed that Mr. Davison was arrested on July 15, 2024, after a warrant was executed at an address in Sandford, Wareham. He was detained on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting the suicide of another. He has since been released on police bail as further investigations are carried out.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police mentioned that the investigation is ongoing and that they are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to determine whether the case meets the criteria for prosecution. However, no further details have been disclosed.
Under UK law, it is illegal to assist someone in taking their own life, though prosecutions are rare. Since 2009, the CPS has reviewed 187 cases referred by police, but only four led to convictions.
Mr. Davison, who resides in Dorset, has declined to comment on the investigation. ITV News previously met him while investigating Pegasos, the Swiss assisted dying clinic with which Mr. Davison has worked.
In May 2024, ITV News visited the clinic’s offices in Basel, Switzerland, along with the family of Alastair Hamilton, who had taken his life at Pegasos in 2023. Hamilton’s mother, Judith, has since contacted Dorset Police, asking them to investigate her son’s case in light of Mr. Davison’s arrest.
“I want answers,” Judith Hamilton told ITV News. “Perhaps they can answer some questions for us, maybe with help from Swiss authorities. This can’t go on. My life has changed so much.”
The UK Parliament is currently considering a bill that would legalize assisted dying for terminally ill patients with six months or less to live. However, Mr. Davison is accused of assisting individuals who may not meet the criteria of this future law.
Kate Goold, a lawyer with Hickman & Rose, explained that when deciding whether to press charges, prosecutors typically consider factors such as the person’s age, mental capacity, relationship to the deceased, and whether financial gain or publicity was involved in the act.
Mr. Davison has previously argued that he did not believe he was breaking the law. Pegasos, in response to inquiries following his arrest, declined to comment on the case, citing privacy and confidentiality agreements. The clinic maintained that it fully complies with Swiss law and continues to cooperate with authorities.