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🇮🇸 Iceland /Conflict & Security

'Angel of Death' Charged Again

From Morgunblaðið · (4d ago) Icelandic Critical tone

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Steinar Wangen, known as the 'angel of death' for assisting suicides, has been charged with murder in Sweden for an incident in the fall of 2024.
  • Wangen has a history of convictions for assisting suicide, with his latest charge stemming from an incident where he allegedly used a pillow to suffocate a woman.
  • He claims his actions are part of a fight to legalize assisted suicide in Norway, but critics argue he exploits vulnerable individuals.

The case of Steinar Wangen, a figure controversially dubbed the 'angel of death' by Norwegian media, continues to unfold with a new murder charge in Sweden. Wangen, who advocates for the legalization of assisted suicide, has been accused of assisting a woman's death in the fall of 2024. This latest charge follows a history of legal entanglements in Norway, where he previously received an eight-year sentence, partially suspended, for complicity in suicide.

What makes Wangen's case particularly disturbing is his stated belief that individuals in despair have a right to end their lives. While he maintains his actions are driven by a conviction to advance the cause of assisted suicide, legal judgments have cautioned that his fervent belief could lead him to exploit those in extremely vulnerable situations. This ethical tightrope is central to the ongoing debate surrounding euthanasia and assisted dying, both in Norway and internationally.

The police couldn't figure it out with the pillow. That's why I was charged with complicity in suicide. Had she realized about the pillow, it would have been a murder case.

— Steinar WangenWangen allegedly wrote this in an SMS to a TV2 reporter, revealing his method and perceived loophole in the law, which was later used to lure him into a meeting with authorities.

Adding a layer of media intrigue, Wangen was famously duped by Norwegian television station TV2. Journalists posed as a suicidal woman, luring him to a hotel in Strömstad, Sweden, where he was interviewed for a documentary. It was during this interview that he reportedly revealed details about his methods, including the use of a pillow, which he believed would evade murder charges. This elaborate sting operation ultimately led to his apprehension by Swedish police, who were waiting instead of the desperate individual he expected.

From a Norwegian perspective, Wangen's actions and the subsequent legal proceedings highlight the deeply divisive nature of assisted suicide. While some may sympathize with his stated goals, the legal system and a significant portion of the public are wary of the potential for abuse. The media's role in exposing his activities, as seen with the TV2 documentary, underscores the public's demand for transparency and accountability in such sensitive matters. This case forces a difficult conversation about compassion, autonomy, and the boundaries of medical and personal assistance in end-of-life decisions.

In the eyes of the court, the cause seemed to be Wangen's top priority, and he believed he was acting righteously. However, this carries the risk that he may exploit people in very vulnerable situations.

— JudgesA statement from the judges in a previous case, highlighting the court's assessment of Wangen's motivations and the potential for exploitation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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