A British woman in good health is planning a journey to Switzerland to end her life at an assisted suicide facility, after being devastated by the loss of her only son.
Wendy Duffy, aged 56, previously attempted suicide following her son’s death four years ago. Now, according to the London Times, she has been accepted by a Swiss clinic where assisted suicide is permitted.
Hailing from the West Midlands and formerly a care worker, Duffy revealed to the Daily Mail that she has paid $13,500 to Pegasos, a Swiss non-profit organization specializing in assisted dying. She believes that taking this step is the sole way for her “spirit to be free.”
She expressed a desire for the process to be “tidier” this time.
“I could jump from a motorway bridge or a tall building, but that would burden whoever finds me with trauma for the rest of their lives,” she explained.
Due to a stalled right-to-die bill in the UK parliament, Duffy said she has no choice but to seek this option abroad.
Duffy’s son, Marcus, died at the age of 2023 after choking on a tomato that became lodged in his windpipe while he was sleeping.
Nine months later, she tried to kill herself by overdosing and had to be put on a ventilator for two weeks.
Ultimately, she said no amount of medication or therapy can make her whole again and said she “can’t wait” to die.
She’s already chosen what she will wear on her deathbed and told the Daily Mail that Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile,” will be playing as she passes on. Once she’s dead, she’s requested all the belongings she brought with her be donated.
Duffy said her siblings, four sisters and two brothers, are understanding of her decision — but she knows it will be difficult to say goodbye to them forever.
“I will call them when I get to Switzerland. It will be a hard call where I’ll say goodbye and thank them,” she said. “But they will get it. They know. Honestly, 100%, they know that I’m not happy, that I don’t want to be here.”
Duffy’s decision to die despite being physically healthy comes after a 25-year-old sexual gang rape victim, Noella Castillo, took her own life by assisted suicide in Spain last month, sparking an international uproar.
The Trump administration told the US Embassy in Madrid to open an investigation into the Spanish law enforcement’s handling of the brutal sexual assault against Castillo leading up to her tragic death.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
