Click the play button on the video window to the right to see the storyCounty Attorney Andrew Thomas announced Thursday the indictment of four people in connection with the alleged assisted suicide death of a Phoenix woman.
The indictments were handed down from a grand jury on Tuesday.
The four defendants are part of a group called Final Exit Network that according to their website, "serves people who are suffering from an intolerable condition."
Frank Langsner of Scottsdale and Wye Hale-Rowe of Colorado, were indicted on charges of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit manslaughter.
Also indicted for Conspiracy to commit manslaughter were Roberta Massey of New Jersey and Dr. Larry Egbert of Baltimore.
According to Thomas, Jana Van Voorhis was found dead in her home on April 15, 2007.
An investigation determined she had died by suicide accomplished through helium inhalation. Investigators said Van Voorhis was not terminally ill but rather suffered from mental illness and depression.
Through the investigation, Frank Langsner and Wye Hale-Rowe were identified as "final exit guides." They allegedly visited the victim and her death was caused by placing a hood over her head which was connected to a helium tank.
According to investigators, Langsner and Hale-Rowe completed a "practice session" prior to the victim's death. They inspected the equipment and showed the victim how to apply the hood and where to place the fitted tube.
They reportedly returned later that evening to be with Van Voorhis as she died. After she died, Langsner and Hale-Rowe allegedly arranged the victim in a sleeping position and disposed of the tanks, hood, hoses and valve in three trash bags, which they dropped in three separate, pre-selected office trash sites in the area.
Massey was allegedly known as a Case Coordinator for the Final Exit network. Investigators said that as such it would have been her task to review documents related to candidates for assisted suicide and pass on medical records to Dr. Egbert. Dr Egbert was the so-called Medical Director for the Network, and as such it is alleged that he reviewed the medical records of candidates for assisted suicide.
The investigation into Van Voorhis death grew into a national probe. On February 25, 2009, law enforcement agencies across the country executed search warrants at 14 sites as part of an investigation into the Final Exit Network.
Thomas said, "The defendants allegedly took advantage of a victim with a history of mental-health issues. The victim's family members are to be commended for not allowing this homicide to be ignored."
