Wendy Duffy, a British mother who ended her life at an assisted dying clinic in Switzerland on April 24, 2026, despite not having a terminal illness, had previously detailed her heartbreaking final wishes. The 56-year-old from the West Midlands was devastated by the death of her son Marcus four years ago. Despite therapy and antidepressants, her grief remained unrelenting, leading her to pay £10,000 to end her life at the Pegasos clinic, stating she did not want to be in this world without her only child.
Marcus's tragic death
Marcus was 23 years old when he died after a cherry tomato became lodged in his windpipe while he was eating a sandwich on the sofa, hungover from a night out. Wendy, a former care worker with medical training, attempted CPR but could not save him. She sat by his side for five days before his life support was switched off.
Journey to assisted dying
Nine months after Marcus's death, Wendy attempted suicide. In early 2025, she applied to Pegasos, a clinic that accepts psychiatric-only cases where there is no physical illness, unlike Dignitas. Applicants must meet strict criteria, showing their condition is severe, long-lasting, and resistant to treatment. Wendy passed her final assessment earlier in 2026 and died on April 24.
Final preparations
Before her journey, Wendy wrote goodbye letters to loved ones and chose the music to play during her death: Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars's song 'Die With A Smile.' She planned to wear a t-shirt that belonged to Marcus, which still smelled of him. She told the Mail Online, 'I don't care about anything any more. I exist. I don't live. When Marcus died, I died too, inside. On my deathbed, I'll wear his T-shirt, which still smells of him.'
Wendy appeared excited about the trip, according to Mail journalist Jenny Johnson, who described her as seeming like 'a woman heading to Barbados on holiday.' Wendy said, 'Oh, I'm super-organised. I've watched videos, and it's absolutely lovely there. You look out on trees and nature, and it's so peaceful. My only stipulation is that I've asked if they can make sure the big windows are open, so my spirit can be free. I've asked that they give the things I've brought, including my suitcase, to an animal charity so that other people benefit. I hate waste, you see.'
No organ donation
Wendy regretted that organ donation was not an option, calling it 'the only drawback.' After cremation in Switzerland, her ashes will be returned to family in the UK and scattered alongside Marcus's at 'his' bench. She requested no funeral, as she 'hates' them.
Family unaware of timeline
Her six siblings knew of her application but not the procedure date, to protect them from potential legal consequences, as assisting someone to travel for assisted dying could lead to police investigation or prosecution in the UK.
Wendy acknowledged the difficulty for her family but had no regrets. She said, '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.'
Legal context
In England and Wales, the assisted dying bill, which ran out of time in the House of Lords on the same day, would not have allowed cases like Wendy's as it was intended only for terminally ill patients with six months to live. Dignitas would have rejected her application, but Pegasos accepted her after a months-long assessment by an expert panel including psychiatrists, who had full access to her medical records.
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org.
