Italian actor Raphael Schumacher was strangled when performing a hanging scene with his head covered at the experimental theater production.
- Feb 6, 2016
AceShowbiz - An experimental theater production at Pisa's Teatro Lux went horribly wrong on Saturday night. Italian actor Raphael Schumacher was strangled in a hanging scene taking place in the theater's courtyard. He was later declared clinically dead.
According to CNN, a female audience member who is a medical graduate realized something wrong when she saw him trembling. She quickly ran to his aid to loosen the rope and lower him to the ground with the help of another spectator.
Schumacher, 27, performed the scene with his head covered at the time. Directors of the theater company told Italian newspaper Il Giorno that the actor changed the scene at the last minute: "The original monologue included a fake gunshot but he eventually decided for the hanging -- without telling us."
The actor was still in coma in hospital on Monday. After he was declared brain dead, his family authorized the donation of his organs and the doctors have started the procedure.
Investigation was launched into the incident to find out whether or not proper safety procedures were in place during the performance. At least four people are under investigation for manslaughter in Raphael Schumacher's death.
