Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
A British woman described as physically healthy has ended her life through assisted dying, four years after the death of her son.
Wendy Duffy died on Friday (April 24) at a clinic in Basel, Switzerland, where assisted suicide is permitted.
The 56-year-old, from the West Midlands, had been approved by Pegasos, a nonprofit that facilitates assisted dying.
Reports state Duffy paid Pegasos $13,500 for the procedure, which was carried out on Friday.
Ruedi Habegger, Pegasos founder, 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.
“I can also confirm that neither we nor any of the professional staff assessing her mental capacity had any doubt as to her intention, understanding and independence of both thought and action.
“In historical terms at English law, hers was a case of ‘sane suicide’.”
Duffy previously attempted suicide around nine months after her son died. Speaking to the Daily Mail before travelling to Switzerland, she said she believed ending her life was the only way her ‘spirit can be free’.
“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.”
Her son, Marcus, died at 23 after choking on half a cherry tomato that became lodged in his windpipe.
“They think he must have fallen asleep when he still had food in his mouth,” she added to the Mail. “That’s the only comfort, that there was no struggle.”
Pegasos informed Duffy’s relatives of her plans, and she said she intended to call them from Switzerland to say goodbye.
“It will be a hard call where I’ll say goodbye and thank them,” Duffy continued.
“But they will get it. They know. Honestly, 100 percent, they know that I’m not happy, that I don’t want to be here.”
It’s reported Duffy selected her clothing for her final moments, and that ‘Die With A Smile’ by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars was believed to have played as she died.
She also asked Pegasos to donate her possessions after her death.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.