A sedative was detected in the body of a terminally ill Kyoto woman who was allegedly killed by two doctors with her consent, investigative sources said Saturday.
The Kyoto Prefectural Police believe the two doctors, both men, were paid to inject barbiturate sedatives into her gastric fistula, a device used to guide food directly to the stomach.
According to medical sources, the sedative is used to treat epilepsy patients and is not sold on the market. The drug, which has strong side effects and causes dependence syndrome, can suppress breathing and lead to death if injected in large quantities. It is used by suicide-support groups in Europe and the United States.