Warning: This article includes references to rape and suicide that some readers may find distressing.
A 25-year-old woman has died after being euthanized, despite her father’s legal attempts to stop the procedure.
Noelia Castillo Ramos, from Barcelona, became the first person in Spain to be approved for assisted dying on mental-health grounds in 2024.
Her case followed years of trauma and deteriorating health. In 2022, she was raped twice — first by a former boyfriend and later in a gang rape involving three men.
Afterwards, Noelia made multiple attempts to take her own life. One attempt last year involved jumping from the roof of an apartment building.
That incident left her paralysed and living with severe pain. According to medical documents, there was no prospect of improvement.
She died on Thursday (March 26) at the Sant Pere de Ribes health centre, after a long court dispute initiated by her father, Geronimo Castillo.
Christian Lawyers, who’s been representing Geronimo Castillo, said: “Noelia has already been euthanised.
“At Christian Lawyers, we deeply regret her death and denounce that this case highlights the serious flaws in the euthanasia law, which does not protect the most vulnerable people.
“We urge politicians to use her story to drive urgent changes and prevent something like this from happening again.”
The statement continued: “Thanks to everyone who has empathised with the family during these very difficult times.
“You can understand that the parents are broken after years of trying to support her in her rehabilitation.”
Noelia’s request had initially been approved by an expert committee in Catalonia in 2024. Spain legalised euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2021.
NEW: Woman who was gang r*ped before jumping from a fifth-floor window to take her own life, will be euthanized in Spain tomorrow.
25-year-old Noelia Castillo Ramos, who is now paraplegic, will be euthanized tomorrow.
The Barcelona woman suffered a severe spinal cord injury… pic.twitter.com/ScgQ7HQvgD
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 25, 2026
Although the procedure was expected to take place later in 2024, it was delayed after her father argued that she had a personality disorder that affected her capacity to decide.
Last month, Spain’s Constitutional Court rejected the appeal, clearing the way for the euthanasia to proceed and concluding there had been no violation of fundamental rights.
Noelia had been scheduled to undergo the procedure at 6pm local time on Thursday. She spent her final hours with those close to her, and reportedly asked to extend that time before it went ahead.
In an interview with Spanish broadcaster Antena 3 earlier this week, she spoke about how she wanted her last moments to look.
She said: “I’ve told them how I want it to be. I want to die looking beautiful. I’ve always thought I want to die looking good. I’ll wear my prettiest dress and put on makeup; it will be something simple.”
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