Schumacher medical files: Theft suspect found hanged in jail

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File photo: A helicopter of the Zurich-based helicopter company, Rega (Swiss Air-Rescue) lands at the air rescue base of Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland region of central Switzerland, 12 July 2007Image source, AFP
Image caption,
Rega describes itself as a non-profit foundation that operates air ambulances

A man arrested on suspicion of leaking Michael Schumacher's medical files has been found hanged in his cell, Swiss police say.

The man, who has not been named, was a manager at Swiss air rescue firm Rega.

Michael Schumacher's medical records were allegedly stolen and offered for sale to several newspapers.

The ex-F1 champion suffered a head injury in a skiing accident in France last December and was flown by Rega to a Swiss hospital in June.

Prosecutors had been investigating a possible breach of privacy at Rega.

The suspect was arrested on Tuesday but denied any wrongdoing. He was found in his Zurich jail cell on Wednesday.

Michael Schumacher

Image source, AP
  • Born: 3 January 1969
  • First GP win: Belgium 1992
  • Last GP win: China 2006
  • Races started: 303
  • Wins: 91 (155 podium finishes)
  • Championships: 7 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004)

Schumacher, 45, was transferred on 16 June from a hospital in the French city of Grenoble to Lausanne in Switzerland.

His medical documents were shared with the medical and rescue teams involved in planning his move, including Rega.

Schumacher's manager, Sabine Kehm, said last month that the F1 ex-champion's medical files had been "clearly stolen" and were being offered for sale.

The records were apparently being offered to media across Europe for 50,000 euros (£40,000, $68,000).

In June, Schumacher's family announced that he was no longer in the medically-induced coma aimed at reducing swelling in his brain.