List of deaths from legal euthanasia and assisted suicide explained

Euthanasia is the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering,[1] while assisted suicide, also known as physician-assisted suicide, is suicide committed with the aid of a physician. Assisted suicide is often confused with euthanasia. In cases of euthanasia the physician administers the means of death, usually a lethal drug. In assisted suicide, it is required that the person voluntarily expresses their wish to die, and also makes a request for medication for the purpose of ending their life. Assisted suicide thus involves a person’s self-administration of deadly drugs that are supplied by a doctor.[2]

The legality of euthanasia and assisted suicide varies. Non-voluntary euthanasia (patient's consent unavailable) and involuntary euthanasia is illegal in all countries. Voluntary euthanasia is legal in Botswana, Belgium,[3] Canada,[4] Colombia,[5] Luxembourg,[6] the Netherlands,[7] New Zealand,[8] Portugal[9] and Spain,[10] and was previously legal in the Northern Territory.[11] It is also legal in all Australian states, and in the US jurisdictions of California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Washington State and Washington DC. Assisted suicide is legal in Austria,[12] [13] Belgium,[14] Canada,[15] Luxembourg,[16] the Netherlands,[17] New Zealand,[18] Spain[19] and Switzerland.[20]

This list contains notable people who have died via either legal voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide. The criterion for notability is an article on the individual in the English Wikipedia.

NameBornDiedNationalityPlace of deathProfession
19312024DutchNetherlandsPolitician and diplomat[21]
19402019AmericanUnited StatesActor and director[22]
19432018CanadianCanadaBroadcaster and author[23]
19692022CanadianCanadaAcademic and researcher[24]
19111998DutchNetherlandsPolitician[25]
19362010FrenchSwitzerlandTheorist, translator and author[26]
19292008BelgianBelgiumAuthor[27]
19332018TaiwaneseSwitzerland Television presenter[28]
19172013BelgianBelgiumCytologist and biochemist[29]
19892024DutchNetherlandsField hockey player[30]
19242009EnglishSwitzerlandConductor[31]
19762024PeruvianPeruPsychologist[32]
19562022AmericanSwitzerlandDrummer, composer and bandleader[33]
19402022AmericanSwitzerland Businessman[34]
19272007AustrianSwitzerland Actor and politician[35]
19302022French-SwissSwitzerlandFilm director, screenwriter and film critic[36]
19142018AustralianSwitzerlandBotanist and ecologist[37]
19492021FrenchSwitzerlandPolitician[38]
19672010BritishSwitzerland Comics artist[39]
19622016BelgianBelgiumSoftware developer[40]
19632022AmericanUnited StatesPolitician[41]
19352016CanadianCanadaWriter[42]
19382012GermanSwitzerlandFootball striker and manager[43]
19312019CanadianCanadaActress[44]
19232019CanadianCanadaRadio executive[45]
19492024CanadianCanadaPsychiatrist, talk show host [46]
19362013BelgianBelgiumPolitician[47]
19842014AmericanUnited StatesTeacher[48]
19492017IsraeliSwitzerlandActivist, militant and politician[49]
19332021CanadianCanadaDirector and screenwriter[50]
1924 2006AustrianSwitzerland Stockbroker[51]
19432024DutchNetherlandsPainter[52]
19512022AmericanUnited StatesFolk musician[53]
19532011IsraeliSwitzerland Journalist and news presenter[54]
19792019BelgianBelgiumParalympic athlete[55]
19682022AmericanSwitzerlandWriter and journalist[56]
19212009EnglishSwitzerlandClarinetist, teacher and writer[57]
19622015DutchNetherlandsPoet, novelist and musician[58]

Notes and References

  1. Harris . NM. . The euthanasia debate . J R Army Med Corps . 147 . 3 . 367–70 . Oct 2001 . 11766225 . 10.1136/jramc-147-03-22. free .
  2. Materstvedt . LJ . Kaasa. S. 2002. Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in Scandinavia Ð with a conceptual suggestion regarding international research in relation to the phenomena. Palliative Medicine. 16. 1 . 19. 10.1191/0269216302pm470oa . 11963448 .
  3. Adams M, Nys H . Comparative reflections on the Belgian Euthanasia Act 2002 . Med Law Rev . 11 . 3 . 353–76 . 2003 . 16733879 . 10.1093/medlaw/11.3.353.
  4. Web site: Canada's parliament passes assisted suicide bill . June 18, 2016 . . April 25, 2017 . https://archive.today/20170425100516/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36566214 . April 25, 2017 . live .
  5. Web site: Euthanasia regularly practiced in Colombia . July 31, 2005 . NBC News . April 25, 2017 . https://archive.today/20170425095457/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/8778072/ns/health-health_care/t/euthanasia-regularly-practiced-colombia/%23.WP8c5dLLfK4 . April 25, 2017 . dead .
  6. Web site: Luxembourg parliament adopts euthanasia law . Julien Ponthus . February 20, 2008 . Reuters . April 25, 2017 . https://archive.today/20170425095302/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-luxembourg-euthanasia-idUSL2011983320080220 . April 25, 2017 . live .
  7. The New Regulation of Voluntary Euthanasia and Medically Assisted Suicide in the Netherlands . André . Janssen . Int J Law Policy Family . 2002 . 16 . 2 . 16848072 . 260–269 . 10.1093/lawfam/16.2.260.
  8. Web site: New Zealand Voluntary Euthanasia Law Comes into Effect. 8 November 2021 . Voice of America. October 15, 2022. November 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211108101144/https://www.voanews.com/a/new-zealand-voluntary-euthanasia-law-comes-into-effect-/6304189.html. live.
  9. Web site: Portuguese parliament legalises euthanasia after long battle. The Guardian. 12 May 2023. 20 May 2023.
  10. Web site: Spain passes law allowing euthanasia. BBC News. March 18, 2021. October 15, 2022. December 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211225042948/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56446631. live.
  11. Web site: Euthanasia advocates call for change 20 years after Northern Territory Parliament passed historic laws . Brooks . Sally . May 25, 2015 . . April 25, 2017 . https://archive.today/20170425100144/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-25/euthanasia-advocates-call-for-change-northern-territory/6493034 . April 25, 2017 . live .
  12. Web site: G 139/2019-71. 11. Dezember 2020 . . de . December 11, 2020 . October 15, 2022 . December 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211229195403/https://www.vfgh.gv.at/downloads/VfGH-Erkenntnis_G_139_2019_vom_11.12.2020.pdf . live .
  13. Web site: Sterbeverfügungsgesetz; Suchtmittelgesetz, Strafgesetzbuch, Änderung . parlament.gv.at . de . October 15, 2022 . December 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211217105637/https://www.parlament.gv.at/PAKT/VHG/XXVII/I/I_01177/index.shtml . live .
  14. Web site: 28 MEI 2002. — Wet betreffende de euthanasie / 28 MAI 2002. — Loi relative a' l'euthanasie . Belgisch Staatsblad / Moniteur Belge . nl, fr . 16 . June 22, 2002 . October 15, 2022 . January 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220119023616/http://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/mopdf/2002/06/22_1.pdf#Page16 . live .
  15. Web site: Bill C-14. An Act to amend the Criminal Code and to make related amendments to other Acts (medical assistance in dying . parl.ca . October 15, 2022 . May 23, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210523221238/https://www.parl.ca/legisinfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=8177165 . live .
  16. Web site: Legislation reglementant les soins palliatifs ainsi que l'euthanasie et l'assistance au suicide . Journal Officiel du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg . fr . March 16, 2009 . October 15, 2022 . September 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210924200410/http://data.legilux.public.lu/file/eli-etat-leg-memorial-2009-46-fr-pdf.pdf . live .
  17. Web site: Wet toetsing levensbeëindiging op verzoek en hulp bij zelfdoding . overheid.nl . nl . October 15, 2022 . 2021-12-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211217202942/https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0012410/2020-03-19 . live .
  18. Web site: End of Life Choice Act . health.govt.nz . October 15, 2022 . June 27, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210627165246/https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/regulation-health-and-disability-system/end-life-choice-act . live .
  19. Web site: Ley Orgánica 3/2021, de 24 de marzo, de regulación de la eutanasia . boe.es . es . March 25, 2021 . 34037–34049 . October 15, 2022 . July 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210705024012/https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2021-4628 . live .
  20. Web site: Bondolfi. Sibilla. Why assisted suicide is 'normal' in Switzerland. swissinfo.ch. July 24, 2020. October 15, 2022. September 25, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220925060153/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/why-assisted-suicide-is--normal--in-switzerland-/45924614. live.
  21. News: February 8, 2024 . Van Agt en vrouw kozen voor euthanasie, steeds meer stellen maken die keuze . NOS .
  22. News: 2021 . Five Questions for Judith Auberjonois . 20 . Compassion & Choices .
  23. News: February 21, 2018 . Islander, Author, Broadcaster Arthur Black Dies . Gulf Islands Driftwood . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210416194423/https://www.gulfislandsdriftwood.com/news/islander-author-broadcaster-arthur-black-dies/ . April 16, 2021.
  24. Web site: Pédagogie : le chercheur Denis Berthiaume annonce son recours à l'aide médicale à mourir au Canada . 2023-06-08 . News Tank Éducation & Recherche . fr.
  25. Web site: Ook zonder ziekte hulp bij zelfdoding . October 31, 2000 . . Dutch . https://web.archive.org/web/20160816111507/http://retro.nrc.nl/W2/Nieuws/2000/10/31/Vp/01.html . August 16, 2016 . live.
  26. Web site: Décès de Michèle Causse, écrivain et militante lesbienne . . 30 July 2010 . 2018-08-12 . 2018-08-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180812053714/https://www.letelegramme.fr/ig/generales/france-monde/france/suisse-deces-de-michele-causse-ecrivain-et-militante-lesbienne-30-07-2010-1005494.php . live .
  27. News: Author Claus dies by euthanasia . BBC News . March 21, 2008 . April 25, 2017 . https://archive.today/20130419150325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7308618.stm . April 19, 2013 . live .
  28. News: Lee . Chin-wei . Chang . S.C. . Former sports anchor Fu Da-ren ends life by assisted suicide . live . . 7 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200716042944/https://focustaiwan.tw/sports/201806070023 . 16 July 2020.
  29. News: Gellene . Denise . Christian de Duve, 95, Dies; Nobel-Winning Biochemist . April 25, 2017 . The New York Times . May 6, 2013 . https://archive.today/20170425101731/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/07/us/christian-de-duve-nobel-winning-biochemist-dies-at-95.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0&mtrref=en.wikipedia.org&gwh=05C3A7537D197224266BB3E5CE2CD863&gwt=pay . April 25, 2017 . live .
  30. News: 22 February 2024 . Voormalig hockey-international Fleur van Dooren (35) overleden . Former hockey international Fleur van Dooren (35) passed away . 22 February 2024 . . nl.
  31. Web site: Next: Assisted Suicide for Healthy People . Appel . Jacob M. . July 16, 2009 . . https://archive.today/20121204235342/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jacob-m-appel/assisted-suicide-for-heal_b_236664.html . December 4, 2012 . live .
  32. Web site: Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years . Briceno . Franklin . April 23, 2024 . . https://archive.today/20240424131928/https://apnews.com/article/peru-euthanasia-psychologist-e5e8ccfd24cf9650b425dee7def99a2e . April 24, 2024 . live.
  33. Web site: Williams. Alex. Anton Fier, Drummer Who Left Stamp on a Downtown Scene, Dies at 66. The New York Times. October 7, 2022. October 15, 2022. October 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221014170947/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/07/arts/music/anton-fier-dead.html. live.
  34. News: Mark Fleischman, Studio 54 owner, dies by assisted suicide at 82 . en . Schudel . Matt . . July 13, 2022 . July 14, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220714144112/https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2022/07/13/studio-54-mark-fleischman-suicide-dies/ . July 14, 2022 . live .
  35. Web site: ZÜRICH – In seinen TV-Rollen trotzte Herbert Fux (79) meist dem Tod. Im wahren Leben suchte ihn der Österreicher sogar – bei den Sterbehelfern von Dignitas in Zürich. . de . Schulthess . Von Adrian . January 20, 2012 . Blick . April 25, 2017 . https://archive.today/20120720050730/http://www.blick.ch/news/schweiz/zuerich/bergdoktor-star-starb-bei-dignitas-id161178.html . July 20, 2012 . live .
  36. Web site: Jean-Luc Godard: Legendary film director dies at 91 by assisted suicide . . September 13, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220913093650/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-62886470 . September 13, 2022 . live.
  37. Web site: David Goodall, 104, takes final journey at Swiss assisted-suicide clinic . Backmann . Helena . Stanglin . Doug . May 10, 2018 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20180510141404/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2018/05/10/david-goodall-australian-ends-life-swiss-assisted-suicide-clinic/594963002/ . May 10, 2018 . live.
  38. Web site: 4 March 2021 . Décès de Paulette Guinchard, ancienne députée du Doubs et secrétaire d'Etat aux personnes âgées . France 3 Bourgogne Franche-Comté . French . January 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220119230421/https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/bourgogne-franche-comte/doubs/politique-deces-de-paulette-guinchard-ancienne-deputee-du-doubs-et-secretaire-d-etat-1913024.html . live.
  39. Web site: Richard . Gurner . Johnny Hicklenton dies at Swiss euthanasia clinic . . March 26, 2010 . April 25, 2017 . https://archive.today/20120913113150/http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5084731.Brighton_man_dies_at_Swiss_euthanasia_clinic/ . September 13, 2012 . live .
  40. Web site: Madison . Moore. ZeroMQ founder Pieter Hintjens dies . San Diego Times . October 4, 2016 . July 23, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190723145026/https://sdtimes.com/code-editor/sd-times-blog-zeromq-founder-pieter-hintjens-dies/ . live .
  41. Web site: January 19, 2022 . Legislator dies using medical suicide law he helped pass . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220124152051/https://apnews.com/article/Willem-Jewett-assisted-suicide-death-211fb12ef7ffc5ae3dd5ca4f0476009d . January 24, 2022 . live.
  42. Web site: September 17, 2016 . Shoeless Author Kinsella Died. . https://web.archive.org/web/20161013111103/http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/shoeless+author+kinsella+died/12199117/story.html . October 13, 2016. live.
  43. Web site: Scorer of first Bundesliga goal dies by assisted suicide . 12 March 2012 . . April 25, 2017 . https://archive.today/20170425141308/https://www.dawn.com/news/702349/scorer-of-first-bundesliga-goal-dies-by-assisted-suicide-group . 25 April 2017 . live .
  44. Web site: ICI.Radio-Canada.ca . Zone Arts- . La comédienne Andrée Lachapelle s'éteint à 88 ans . 2023-06-08 . Radio-Canada.ca . 21 November 2019 . fr-ca.
  45. News: Margaret Lyons, 95, was an influential executive who sparked CBC's Radio Revolution . Houpt, Simon . . October 11, 2019 . October 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191015050003/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/article-margaret-lyons-95-was-an-influential-executive-who-sparked-cbcs/ . October 15, 2019 . live .
  46. News: Le Doc Mailloux s'éteint à 74 ans . 13 January 2024 . La Presse. 12 January 2024.
  47. Web site: Wilfried Martens koos voor euthanasie: "Hij was op het einde van zijn leven" . October 3, 2018 . . Dutch . https://web.archive.org/web/20220323015512/https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20181002_03802972 . March 23, 2022 . live.
  48. Web site: Terminally Ill Woman Brittany Maynard Has Ended Her Own Life . . November 2, 2014 . April 25, 2017 . Egan, Nicole . https://archive.today/20170425141632/http://people.com/celebrity/terminally-ill-woman-brittany-maynard-has-ended-her-own-life/ . April 25, 2017 . live .
  49. News: Moulin . Marc . 12 April 2017 . Chaïm Nissim, l'ultime bravade d'un jusqu'au-boutiste . La Tribune de Genève .
  50. News: Cordasco . Lisa . 15 September 2021 . 'Margaret's Museum' director opts for medical assistance in dying on Salt Spring Island . Vancouver Sun . https://web.archive.org/web/20211006101919/https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/margarets-museum-director-opts-for-medical-assistance-in-dying-on-salt-spring-island . October 6, 2021 . live.
  51. Web site: Death on her own terms . Adams, Lucy . February 8, 2007 . . March 26, 2017 . https://archive.today/20170326003114/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12756982.Death_on_her_own_terms/ . March 26, 2017 . live .
  52. Web site: Kunstschilder Matthijs Röling (81) overleden . Boxem, Reyer . July 10, 2024 . Rtvnoord.nl . July 10, 2024 .
  53. News: Pollak . Sally . December 14, 2022 . Life Stories: Musician Pete Sutherland Was a 'Unifying Force' . en . . 25 February 2023 . February 25, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230225051305/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/life-stories-musician-pete-sutherland-was-a-unifying-force/Content?oid=37141229 . live .
  54. Web site: Radio personality Adi Talmor dies at 58 . August 8, 2011 . . April 25, 2017 . https://archive.today/20170425140844/http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Radio-personality-Adi-Talmor-dies-at-58 . April 25, 2017 . live .
  55. News: Marieke Vervoort: Tribute to the Paralympian, who ended her life through euthanasia. BBC Sport . 23 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191023100601/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/50150513. 23 October 2019. live.
  56. News: Green . Penelope . Norah Vincent, Who Chronicled Passing as a Man, Is Dead at 53 . . August 18, 2022 . October 16, 2022 . 0362-4331 . limited . August 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220818190111/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/18/obituaries/norah-vincent-dead.html . live .
  57. Web site: Pamela Weston: Clarinettist, music historian and inspirational teacher . Shenton . Kenneth . October 22, 2009 . . April 25, 2017 . https://archive.today/20120904020944/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/pamela-weston-clarinettist-music-historian-and-inspirational-teacher-1807577.html . September 4, 2012 . live .
  58. Web site: Dichter Rogi Wieg (52) overleden . Dutch . July 15, 2015 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20211026183810/https://nos.nl/artikel/2047230-dichter-rogi-wieg-52-overleden . October 26, 2021 . live.

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