Healthy mum, 56, to end life at Swiss clinic after losing her only son
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide and assisted dying, which some readers may find distressing
A heartbroken mother has flown to Switzerland in order to end her life at a euthanasia clinic today, four years after the death of her only son.
Following a year-long application process, Wendy Duffy was granted permission to end her life at Pegasos clinic in Switzerland after her suffering was deemed severe enough to meet the clinic's requirements.
Physically healthy, the 56-year-old has struggled with grief since losing her son, Marcus, an aspiring musician. Marcus choked to death four years ago in Wendy's living room while the former care worker tried desperately to save her son's life.
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Despite undergoing years of therapy and antidepressant medication, Wendy has not been able to come to terms with the loss of her son.
Opening up about her decision in an interview with MailOnline, Wendy explained that she'd tried to 'get better' before deciding to go through with assisted dying.
"You can take all the pills, you can go to all the counselling in the world – and I did," she explained.
"Ultimately, they can’t help you. They don’t have to live your life, and my life is agony."
Wendy explained that even though she isn't 'lonely', she finds it difficult to carry on living without her son.
"I still sit at night, and I talk to Marcus, and I kiss the box I had made for his ashes, and I say 'goodnight, sunshine', and I think 'I don’t want to be in this world without you, Markie'. And I don’t. It’s as simple as that," she added.
Wendy will now undergo a face-to-face assessment with a psychiatrist at the clinic to confirm that she is of sound mind and is making the decision without external pressure.
This will be her first time going to the clinic in person, as all of her previous communication with Pegasos has been through email and WhatsApp.
She has paid £10,000 for the end of life treatment, which included an initial £5,000 fee to formalise her application.
Wendy explained that she's chosen the last song she will hear while the procedure takes place: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' 'Die With a Smile'.
Letters of goodbye to her loved ones have already been written, and she's arranged for all the belongings she's taken to Switzerland, including her suitcase, to be donated to an animal charity.
Afterwards, she will be cremated in Switzerland without a funeral, and her ashes will be sent back to her family in the UK, to be scattered at Marcus' bench in the park.
Wendy previously attempted suicide nine months after her son's death, which left her on a ventilator and dangerously close to a vegetative state.
She spoke about her fears that other methods of suicide 'would leave anyone finding me dealing with that for the rest of their lives', adding: "I don't want to put anyone through that."
Why do people travel to Switzerland for assisted dying?
Laws regarding euthanaisa and assisted dying vary around the world, with the process being outlawed in the overwhelming majority of nations.
Switzerland is one of the few countries that allows patients to choose assisted dying, with the Swiss Penal Code permitting that patients must meet the following criteria:
- They must possess decision-making capacity
- They must have ‘control’ or ‘ownership of the action’ over their death
- The motive of anyone assisting the individual cannot be selfish.
However, active euthanasia, when a doctor administers lethal drugs, is illegal, with healthcare professionals only allowed to prescribe the medication.
Unlike other countries, which permit euthanasia and assisted dying, you do not have to be a Swiss resident to qualify, meaning that citizens of other countries will often travel to the Central European country for the procedure.
Is euthanasia legal in the UK?
Both euthanasia and assisted dying are currently illegal in the UK.
However, talks around legalising the process are ongoing, with the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill currently making its way through parliament.
The bill is currently facing setbacks due to opposition from the House of Lords, meaning that amendments will need to be made before May 2026 for it to stand a chance of becoming law.
Part of Wendy's decision to share her story is to highlight the unfairness of assisted dying laws in the UK, especially when it comes to the restrictions current laws place on her family.
Although Wendy's family are aware of her plans, she has not shared details and will make the trip to Switzerland on her own, as any relatives who were thought to be assisting or travelling with her would likely be subject to a police investigation.
"I’m not breaking the law. I don’t feel I’m doing anything wrong. Yet for them, it’s a mess," she explained.
"[It's] my life; my choice," she added.
"I wish this was available in the UK, then I wouldn’t have to go to Switzerland at all."
Should assisted dying be legal?
We travelled to the Isle of Man, where an assisted dying bill was passed through its local parliament last year, to speak to those most affected by the divisive issue.
Watch our documentary below:
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 or contact Harmless by visiting their website https://harmless.org.uk.
For advice, support, and more information, you can contact the nurse-led specialist team at Compassion in Dying via their helpline 0800 999 2434. You can also email them at [email protected].
Additionally, if you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.
Topics: Mental Health, Health
Brenna Cooper