Wendy Duffy, a 56-year-old British mother who expressed a strong desire to die despite not suffering from a terminal illness, has travelled to Switzerland to end her life at a suicide clinic. This case has become a poignant example in the ongoing debate over assisted dying.
The former care worker from the West Midlands paid £10,000 to end her life at the Pegasos clinic. Her decision came after the loss of her son Marcus, who died at the age of 23 four years ago. Despite years of therapy and antidepressant medication, she has been unable to cope with his death.
Wendy is one of numerous Britons who have travelled to Switzerland to end their lives since the first reading of the UK's Assisted Dying Bill in the House of Lords on June 23, 2025. The bill ultimately failed in the House of Lords due to concerns about its provisions, meaning many more Brits will continue to seek assisted dying in Switzerland.
Just days before her scheduled death, Wendy stated: "I won't change my mind. I know it's hard for you, sweetheart. It will be hard for everyone. But I want to die, and that's what I'm going to do. And I'll have a smile on my face when I do, so please be happy for me. My life; my choice." She added: "I can't wait."
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Wendy recounted the harrowing circumstances of her son's death. Marcus had fallen asleep on the sofa while eating a sandwich, hungover after a night out. She soon faced every parent's worst nightmare. "He was purple. I thought, it's his heart," she said.
Wendy, who had medical training, placed Marcus on the floor and began CPR while calling for help. Paramedics arrived and rushed him to hospital, where devastating news was delivered. Half of a cherry tomato was found lodged in his windpipe, requiring a specialist to remove it. Wendy sat by his side for five days before his life support was turned off. His organs were later donated for transplant.
Wendy underwent extensive NHS and private counselling and was prescribed antidepressants. She had attempted suicide nine months after her son's death. She submitted a formal application to the Swiss clinic in early 2025 and passed her final assessment earlier this year.
