British mother starves herself to death so children didn’t have to watch her die of ‘worst possible disease’

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

A brave mum spoke about her decision to starve herself to death to spare her kids the pain of watching her die after she received a 'worst possible disease' diagnosis.

Health conditions can often be heartbreaking and tear apart families, with a woman also recently diagnosed with an exceedingly rare 'burning man' syndrome which makes her skin turn red and incredibly itchy.

Unfortunately, these illnesses can often be so debilitating that those suffering from them feel that death is their only escape from a life living in pain.

And while it remains illegal in the UK for now, MPs have recently voted in favour of an assisted dying bill in England and Wales, which would allow terminally ill adults with a life expectancy of under six months to choose how and when they want to end their life.

Who is Emma Bray and what is a right-to-die activist?

Emma Bray was a 42-year-old mum-of-two living in England who, after being diagnosed with a terminal illness, worked along thousands of others to be granted a right to die in the UK.

Right-to-die advocates are individuals or organisations who are campaigning for the right to choose when they, or those close to them die, rather than letting their illness take control of their life.

What disease was she living with?

Emma was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2023 and spent the last two years living with the disease, which sadly left her unable to speak or use any of her limbs.

Using an eye-gazing machine in an interview with the Mirror in June, she said: "I've had four different health professionals tell me I've got the worst disease possible.

"I now feel I am at the stage where my quality of life is very affected, I can no longer use any of my limbs. My talking is severely affected, and I struggle to eat, and it's getting harder to breathe. I am only really comfortable in bed, and social visits are exhausting.

"I have carers multiple times a day, can't be left alone overnight and can no longer do any basic tasks. I can't scratch an itch, push up my glasses, or move a bed sheet if I am too hot or cold. I feel like I am losing the essence of me. I am still so loved, but I can't be myself, and I see that grief on everyone's faces."

Motor neurone disease famously affected Professor Stephen Hawking, as well as rugby league star Rob Burrow, who died from the disease last year.

Speaking of her two teenage children, Emma added: "Imagine seeing your children crying and upset and not be able to hug them or curl up in bed and wipe their tears away.

"This is hands down the thing I hate the most about motor neurone disease. It's taken my children's mum from them little by little."

What did she say about her choice?

Rather than continuing to suffer at the hands of the terminal illness, Emma made the brave decision to take control of her death through voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED).

She told the Mirror: "VSED is not an easy death, but with the current law in England, this is the only way I can have control over my death,

"I want to protect my children from seeing me choke and struggle to breathe. I don't want to die, but I am going to and have come to terms with my impending death, and I know I want to die surrounded by loved ones, music and laughter, not in an emergency way after further decline."

The mother continued: "My last bit of parenting I can do is to limit the suffering and trauma they have to witness. I made a promise to myself that I wanted to wait to see my daughter finish high school and my son grow up a little so I can picture the man he will become."

After Emma's death, a heartbreaking final message was shared on her page on Instagram.

The post read: "If you are reading this then I've finished my final spin round the sun. I've lived a very good life, surrounded by love, music and laughter and I want this to continue in my memory. Rather than shed a tear (or whilst you do) please plant a tree or call a friend, do a random act of kindness or take time to watch a sunset.

"For moments of doubt please ask ‘what would Emma do?’ and run with that probably inappropriate answer.

“Hug everyone a little tighter and love openly. Please surround those who were closest to me with love, time and patience. And to quote Frank Turner - Remember you get to dance another day but now you have to dance for one more of us. Love you, bye."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.