An Update on the Kevorkian-Reding 93 Physician-Assisted Deaths in Michigan: is Kevorkian a Savior, Serial-Killer or Suicidal Martyr

This report presents an update of the Kevorkian-Reding physician-assisted deaths to include the 93 publicly acknowledged cases as of November 1998. These deaths are divided into 10 distinct time phases. Death by carbon monoxide decreases dramatically with time while the use of the “suicide machine” increases, suggesting an increasing routinization over time. It is concluded that Kevorkian should be treated within a medical framework as a would-be suicidal martyr. (7 refs.)