Man Suspected Of Stealing Michael Schumacher’s Medical Files Hangs Himself In Jail
A man suspected of stealing Michael Schumacher’s medical files was found hanged in his jail cell. The individual was arrested on Tuesday and accused in the theft and leaking of the Formula One great’s private documents. He was found dead on Wednesday, according to prosecutors.
The unidentified man worked for the Swiss air and rescue company, Rega, which transported Michael Schumacher from a hospital in France to Switzerland in June of this year, according to a statement by the prosecutor in Zurich. Local authorities do n0t suspect foul play in the man’s death.
Following a skiing accident in December of last year, Michael Schumacher was left in a medically induced coma. Several leaks had been published in print media and online concerning his medical condition, even though his agent insisted that any information regarding the legendary racer would come from her.
Schumacher was transferred from Grenoble hospital in France to University Hospital of Lausanne on June 16 after he emerged from the coma to the delight of his family and millions of fans. Michael Schumacher’s loved ones also considered air transport through Rega.
The suspect on the Michael Schumacher medical files leak was arrested on Tuesday for breaching patient confidentiality. The deceased denied the charges that he had stolen the medical files from the Grenoble Hospital. He allegedly attempted to sell the files for 50,000 Euros ($66,900).
The French publication Le Dauphine Libere reported in early July that leaked documents concerning Michael Schumacher’s medical condition were being offered to European media for $67,200. The offer seemed to have come from the IP address of a computer at Rega, which denied the charges and joined the Schumachers in a lawsuit for violating the Formula One champion’s privacy.
Michael Schumacher’s manager, Sabine Kehm, said she was horrified and disgusted after the 10-page medical file was put up for sale to media in Europe. The file contained a detailed report on the legendary racer’s treatment since his skiing accident last December.
In an unprecedented move, the media agreed not to publish Michael Schumacher’s medical files, and they reported the attempts to sell them to authorities. In a statement, Rega says they don’t have any proof that the person trying to leak the documents was an insider, but they cooperated with authorities over the course of the investigation.
Kehm had warned the media that if any outlet published Michael Schumacher’s medical files they would be sued. Schumacher is currently recovering near his home in Switzerland.
[Image via fanpop.com and David Acosta Allely / Shutterstock.com]
