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Right-to-die: Grandmother starves herself to death after UK's assisted suicide laws left her with 'no alternative' | |
(about 20 hours later) | |
An elderly woman has starved herself to death to get around the UK’s tight and restrictive laws on assisted suicide. | An elderly woman has starved herself to death to get around the UK’s tight and restrictive laws on assisted suicide. |
Octogenarian Jean Davies, who is also a right-to-die campaigner, spent five weeks attempting to end her life and succeeded in doing so on 1 October. | Octogenarian Jean Davies, who is also a right-to-die campaigner, spent five weeks attempting to end her life and succeeded in doing so on 1 October. |
The former maths teacher, 86, did not have a terminal illness, but suffered a range of conditions that made her life uncomfortable including chronic back pain and fainting episodes. | The former maths teacher, 86, did not have a terminal illness, but suffered a range of conditions that made her life uncomfortable including chronic back pain and fainting episodes. |
She told the Sunday Times: “It is hell. I can’t tell you how hard it is. You wouldn’t decide this unless you thought your life was going to be so bad. It is intolerable.” | She told the Sunday Times: “It is hell. I can’t tell you how hard it is. You wouldn’t decide this unless you thought your life was going to be so bad. It is intolerable.” |
It is understood that she stopped drinking water on 16 September and was frustrated that her death wasn’t days after, but two weeks. | It is understood that she stopped drinking water on 16 September and was frustrated that her death wasn’t days after, but two weeks. |
Ms Davies’ four children and two grandchildren were reportedly supportive of her decision. | Ms Davies’ four children and two grandchildren were reportedly supportive of her decision. |
She told the paper that she had no alternative as the other methods are “either illegal or I would need to go to [the Dignitas clinic in] Switzerland – and I want to die in my own bed”. | She told the paper that she had no alternative as the other methods are “either illegal or I would need to go to [the Dignitas clinic in] Switzerland – and I want to die in my own bed”. |
Earlier this month Australian doctor Philip Nitschke opened a clinic in the UK to help advise people on how to end their lives. | Earlier this month Australian doctor Philip Nitschke opened a clinic in the UK to help advise people on how to end their lives. |
Called Exit International, the organisation has been branded as “potentially very dangerous” and could be “open to abuse”. | Called Exit International, the organisation has been branded as “potentially very dangerous” and could be “open to abuse”. |
He told The Independent at the time: “It is easier to prepare [for death] now. That is the message Exit International has been promoting and why it is so important to have an office in London. | He told The Independent at the time: “It is easier to prepare [for death] now. That is the message Exit International has been promoting and why it is so important to have an office in London. |
“We encourage people not to wait around until they are seriously ill before coming to see us.” | “We encourage people not to wait around until they are seriously ill before coming to see us.” |
Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, campaigners seeking a change in the law on assisted dying for terminally ill adults, said: “Assuming Exit International’s intention is to provide potentially vulnerable people information on how to die then it is both unwelcome and potentially very dangerous.” | Sarah Wootton, Chief Executive of Dignity in Dying, campaigners seeking a change in the law on assisted dying for terminally ill adults, said: “Assuming Exit International’s intention is to provide potentially vulnerable people information on how to die then it is both unwelcome and potentially very dangerous.” |
Additional reporting by agencies. | Additional reporting by agencies. |
Anyone seeking confidential support on suicide can call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90. | Anyone seeking confidential support on suicide can call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90. |