A British woman who was physically healthy has died by euthanasia after years of grief following the death of her son. Wendy Duffy had spoken before her death about how deeply the loss had changed her life.
Duffy died on Friday, April 24, at a clinic in Basel, Switzerland, where assisted suicide is legal. She had traveled there after deciding that she no longer wanted to live following the death of her son four years earlier.
The former care worker paid Pegasos $13,500 to undergo euthanasia under its care. The procedure was carried out on Friday after her application and mental capacity had been assessed.
Ruedi Habegger, the founder of Pegasos, said: “I can confirm that Wendy Duffy, at her own request, was assisted to die on April 24 and that the procedure was completed without incident and in full compliance with her wishes.”
“In historical terms at English law, hers was a case of ‘sane suicide’.”
“My life, my choice,” she told the Mail. “I wish this was available in the UK, then I wouldn’t have to go to Switzerland at all.”
Duffy’s son, Marcus, died at the age of 23 after choking on half a cherry tomato that became stuck in his windpipe. His sudden death left her dealing with grief she said she could not move past.
Pegasos informed Duffy’s family about her plans before the procedure took place. Duffy, who had worked in care, said she planned to call them from Switzerland to say goodbye.
“It will be a hard call where I’ll say goodbye and thank them,” Duffy continued.
The British woman had also given instructions to Pegasos about what should happen to her belongings after her death. She asked for them to be donated once the procedure had taken place.
If you or someone you know needs mental health support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is free, confidential, and available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
