A spokesperson for the controversial Pegasos assisted dying clinic in Switzerland has defended the death of a grieving British mother, stating she had a 'beautiful death'. Perry Davenport, who held Wendy Duffy's hand as she died, spoke out about her final moments.
Wendy Duffy's Story
Wendy Duffy, 56, from the West Midlands, ended her life at the Pegasos clinic in Basel on April 24. Despite being physically healthy, she said she had been in a permanent state of grief for four years following the death of her son, Marcus Dolman, who choked to death on a cherry tomato at age 23 in 2020. Wendy paid £10,000 to die at the clinic, wearing a t-shirt that belonged to her son.
Clinic's Response
Perry Davenport, a Pegasos spokesperson, told The Times: 'I was with Wendy when she died, and she had a beautiful death. She was so happy to be joining her son on the other side. She had significant therapy and made a rational decision that she was not going to get better.' He added that she missed her son terribly and had no other children.
According to a guide by former MP John Watson, 18 percent of Pegasos supporters are British, and the clinic handles around 65 UK cases per year. Pegasos accepts psychiatric-only cases, unlike Dignitas, which would have rejected Wendy's application.
Broader Impact
The case has sparked debate in the UK. British mother Judith Hamilton, 84, spoke out after her son Alastair died at Pegasos without her knowledge. Alastair, 47, had been suffering from undiagnosed physical health issues and told his mother he was visiting Paris. Judith spent a frantic week searching for him before police revealed he had died at the clinic. She said: 'It's just a heartbreaking scenario for the families left behind.'
In England and Wales, the assisted dying bill would not have permitted Wendy's case, as it only applies to terminally ill patients with six months to live. The bill ran out of time in the House of Lords on April 24.
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
