Man builds suicide robot
Published: March 23, 2008 at 5:49 PM
BRISBANE, Australia, March 23 (UPI) -- An 81-year-old man in Australia reportedly killed himself by programming a robot to shoot him in the head, a published report said.
Pete Tovey downloaded the plans from the Internet because he was distressed by his family's demands that he move from his million-dollar home on the Gold Coast into a care facility, The Times of London reported Sunday.
Tovey, who was English, reportedly assembled the machine, placed himself in front of a .22 semi-automatic pistol loaded with four bullets and set the machine into motion. He was hit several times in the head, the newspaper said.
Philip Nitschke, a prominent supporter of euthanasia, said the man's suicide was extreme and bizarre.
"It is a rather violent and ultimately messy way to end one's life and there are more peaceful strategies," he said. "I would have thought most people would take the more peaceful options."
Pete Tovey downloaded the plans from the Internet because he was distressed by his family's demands that he move from his million-dollar home on the Gold Coast into a care facility, The Times of London reported Sunday.
Tovey, who was English, reportedly assembled the machine, placed himself in front of a .22 semi-automatic pistol loaded with four bullets and set the machine into motion. He was hit several times in the head, the newspaper said.
Philip Nitschke, a prominent supporter of euthanasia, said the man's suicide was extreme and bizarre.
"It is a rather violent and ultimately messy way to end one's life and there are more peaceful strategies," he said. "I would have thought most people would take the more peaceful options."
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Top News:
Israel mulls lifting restrictions
Relatives mourn the death of Ziad Ghalayini during his funeral in Beirut on 11 May 2008. Ghalayini, a Sunni Moslem and government supporter was killed during bloody clashes with Moslem Shiite Hezbollah fighters. Clashes continued throughout the country on Sunday and the country’s only international airport remained closed. (UPI Photo)
FUNERAL FOR PRO GOVERNMENT SUPPORTER
Full Photo
| Slideshow
Latest Headlines
Most Popular
- Poll: Everyday civility declining in Utah
- Elderly blind man bowls perfect 300
- Dog owners flock to Fashion Island
- Alaska officials blow up old fireworks
- Parking ticket paid 31 years late
- Fla. woman hurt in collision with pelican
- Bar manager gets revenge for tagging
- Zambrano goes pink for Mother's Day