Warning: This article contains discussion of rape and suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Carla Rodriguez, a childhood friend of Noelia Castillo Ramos, who died by suicide on Thursday (March 26), made a last-ditch effort to get her to reconsider.
Noelia’s euthanasia was carried out at the Sant Pere de Ribes health centre in Barcelona, following a suicide attempt in 2022 that did not end her life.
In the years leading up to her death, she had tried to take her own life several times. One attempt, in which she fell from a fifth-floor apartment block last year, left her paralysed.
Noelia had previously spoken about being raped twice in 2022, experiences that had a profound impact on her life. In 2024, she became the first Spanish citizen approved for assisted dying on the basis of mental health.
Her father, Geronimo Castillo, sought to stop the euthanasia, arguing that a personality disorder affected her ability to make the decision.
An expert committee in Catalonia granted approval for her request in 2024, but the process was later delayed after Castillo raised objections.
Last month, it was confirmed that Noelia could proceed after Spain’s Constitutional Court rejected Castillo’s appeal, stating there had been “no violation of fundamental rights”.
Rodriguez, described as Noelia’s childhood best friend, asked hospital staff to let her speak with Noelia in the final moments, hoping she could change her mind.
❌ El hospital impide a la mejor amiga de Noelia verla antes de morir: «Quería intentar que cambiara de opinión».
📹 Te informa Irene Tabera (@irenetabera).
📲 Lee la noticia aquí: https://t.co/qKvZ5BCgmU pic.twitter.com/COB8HK6PBz
— okdiario.com (@okdiario) March 26, 2026
“I wanted to try to convince her to change her mind,” she told Okdiario, who captured footage of the emotional incident.
“Noelia has been through so much — so very much,” Rodriguez added.
Okdiario reported that the two had not been in contact for some time, and that Rodriguez only learned of Noelia’s plans after seeing news coverage.
In the video shared online, Rodriguez can be seen crying as she stands with her son, urging hospital staff to allow her to see Noelia.
Late on Thursday, Castillo’s legal representatives, Christian Lawyers, released a statement confirming Noelia’s death.
“Noelia has already undergone euthanasia,” the statement began. “From Christian Lawyers, we deeply regret her death and denounce that this case highlights the serious shortcomings of the euthanasia law, which does not protect the most vulnerable people.”
The statement continued: “We ask politicians to ensure that her story serves to drive urgent changes and prevent something like this from happening again. Thank you to everyone who has empathized with the family during these very difficult times.
“You can understand that her parents are devastated after years of trying to support her in her rehabilitation.”
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’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org