Sue Celmer makes it clear that the last year-and-a-half of her husband's life was difficult. John Celmer endured surgery and radiation to rid him of oral cancer. That left him with a deteriorating jaw that required more surgery. Then there was the constant pain from an arthritic hip. "But there was tremendous hope, says Sue Celmer. "He had no cancer. He was not terminal. There were many things we were looking forward to do." It was John Celmer's widow who found information from the Final Exit Network inside the home where her husband died. The discovery sparked an investigation that has so far spread to seven states. Authorities say they've found evidence that the group may be involved in as many as three hundred deaths. "I think they're misguided," says Sue Celmer. "I think they lack the insight of truth." Investigators believe John Celmer suffocated as helium was pumped into a bag placed over his head. Authorities with the Georgia Bureau of Investigations contend two members of the Final Exit Network were there, holding John Celmer's hands. Thomas "Ted" Goodwin of Kennesaw and Claire Blehr of Atlanta are facing felony charges. "I believe in my heart there was a crime committed," says Sue Celmer. Representatives of the Final Exit Network claim members of the group facing charges will be exonerated. Final Exit President Jerry Dincin of Illinois insists the group does not assist with suicides, and works within the law. "Final Exit Network is a leader in the fight for the last human right," says Dincin. "John had a chance to live," says John Celmer's step-son, Paul Sciandra. "He had a chance to celebrate his life with his wife and family, and he doesn't have that anymore because of them." The family is contemplating a civil suit against the Final Exit Network. "It's not to recover damages so much as to send a message to this group and other groups like it that there are consequences to their actions," says attorney Jay Lukowski. "His physical condition was curable," says Sue Celmer. "Any depression he had was treatable, and death is not."
