Mothers in the UK Choose Assisted Dying in Switzerland After Losing Their Children, Sparking Euthanasia Debate

Wendy Duffy, a 56-year-old woman from the West Midlands in England, is planning to undergo assisted dying in Switzerland following prolonged grief after the death of her son Marcus, who died in 2022 at the age of 23.

Duffy told the Daily Mail that she has struggled for years to cope with her loss and has made the decision to end her life, stating, “I want to die, and that’s what I’m going to do,” and adding, “My life; my choice.”

She has applied to Pegasos, a clinic in Basel that facilitates voluntary assisted dying, and has received approval. Duffy informed her family about her decision and made personal arrangements ahead of the procedure.

Duffy said she chose this route to avoid causing distress to others, explaining that she does not want to put anyone through the trauma of finding her if she attempted suicide again, which she said “would leave anyone finding me dealing with that for the rest of their lives.”

She previously attempted suicide unsuccessfully and has informed her six siblings of her intentions to visit the Pegasos assisted dying clinic.

Assisted dying remains illegal in the UK, prompting Duffy to travel to Switzerland, where laws around the practice differ. She noted that she has struggled with her mental health for years following her son’s death.