Zug,03.03.2015
Hair analysis shows no trace of date-rape drug
- (The photograph shows Markus Hürlimann and Jolanda Spiess-Hegglin during the Landamman celebration on 19 December 2015.)
The analysis of the hair sample from Zug local politician Jolanda Spiess-Hegglin has shown no indication of the taking or use of date-rape drugs. Furthermore, no traces of narcotic substances were found in either the blood or urine samples.
The Institute for Legal Medicine at the University of Zurich found no traces of GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, the so-called ‘date-rape drug’) in the hair sample from Jolanda Spiess-Hegglin. The Zug law enforcement authorities announced on Monday that there are therefore no indications that the 34-year-old could had been drugged with such substances.
Media spokesman Marcel Schlatter reported that the blood and urine samples had been analysed for all known substances, such as sedatives, with negative results. Because GHB can only be detected up to eight hours after being taken, however, a hair sample was specifically tested for this substance.
The checks were carried out as part of the investigation into the alleged sexual assault after the Landamann celebration late last year.
The exclusion of the date rape drug does not conclude the case, however, and the criminal investigation into possible crimes against sexual integrity continues. The state prosecution office has already interviewed many people, whose statements are currently being evaluated. More interviews will take place. It is still unclear when the criminal investigation will be completed, according to the law enforcement agencies.
The reason for the study is an alleged sexual assault on the night of Sunday, December 21 after the celebration for the new Landamann, at which a great deal of alcohol flowed. Spiess-Hegglin claims to have woken with abdominal pains on the morning after the party. As she could not remember anything, she believed she could have been deliberately drugged, and went to the hospital. The doctors there were legally obliged to inform the police in such cases.
Suspicion fell on 40-year-old SVP Cantonal Councillor Markus Hürlimann, with whom Spiess-Hegglin was last seen. Hürlimann was arrested, and was only released a day later. A criminal investigation for acts against sexual integrity was initiated against him.
When asked about the hair sample, a spokesman for Spiess-Hegglin replied as follows: “We didn’t expect anything different”
Both Hürlimann and Spiess-Hegglin have continued to exercise their duties as cantonal councillors, despite many calls for their immediate resignations.
"Hair samples exonerate Hürlimann considerably”
Through his lawyer, Mark Dorman, Markus Hürlimann made a written statement on Monday regarding the results of the hair sample. Dormann writes as follows:
"The negative results of the hair samples exonerate Markus Hürlimann considerably. Markus Hürlimann has repeatedly stated that he has never in his life possessed or even thought about date-rape-drops or similar substances. The prosecutor's office confirmed on 5 January that no traces of date–rape drops or other substances were detectable in either the blood or the urine of Jolanda Spiess-Hegglin. The hair samples have now shown the same result.
It is therefore clear that Jolanda Spiess was not drugged in any way, either by Markus Hürlimann or by any other third party. The unsurprising result of the hair samples is, however, just another exonerating factor for Markus Hürlimann. The other recent research by the prosecutor produced no evidence of criminal conduct. The questioning of witnesses, in particular, contributes to an exculpatory explanation of the affair."