In what is a most tragic turn of events, Raphael Schumacher, a famous Italian actor, has been declared brain dead after an improperly staged hanging during a performance gripped his throat too much. It was only discovered that he was being strangled after a medical student in the audience intervened.
The female student, who has yet to be named, along with another audience member ran to loosen the noose tightened around Mr. Schumacher's neck. However, because of oxygen deprivation, Schumacher was declared brain dead later that night.
Police have launched an investigation into the mishap to determine if proper safety protocol was followed. Directors of the theater company recollected that Schumacher changed the contents of the scene without alerting them. Unbeknownst to the crew, the hanging came in place of a staged suicide by gunshot.
A director said, "The original monologue included a fake gunshot but he eventually decided for the hanging -- without telling us."
The actor was performing in an experimental theater production at Pisa's Teatro Lux when the incident occurred on Saturday night.
CNN writes that four people are being investigated in light of the events. The charges that will be levied, if found to be appropriate, will be manslaughter. Schumacher's family authorized the harvesting of his internal organs and the procedure to do this has already begun.
Mr. Schumacher also underwent a six-hour procedure on Thursday after he failed to respond to any treatment provided. According to the BBC: "The family and the prosecutor's office have both authorized that his organs be donated, but their removal will be subject to a medical assessment to be performed in the course of the night."
Our condolences to Mr. Schumacher's family and loved during this tragic and purgatorial time. The actor, who died dedicating himself to his craft, spotlights the need for safety procedures to be monitored closely and at all times when performing dangerous stunts.
