Wendy Duffy, a 56-year-old former care worker from the West Midlands, has died at the Pegasos assisted dying clinic in Switzerland after paying £10,000 to end her life. She had no terminal illness but struggled to cope with the grief of losing her only son, Marcus, four years ago.
Final Words and Procedure
Speaking before her death, Wendy told the Daily Mail: "I won't change my mind... 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. I can't wait." Pegasos founder Ruedi Habegger confirmed that the procedure was completed without incident on April 24, in full compliance with her wishes. He noted that all professional staff assessing her mental capacity had no doubt about her intention and independence.
Background and Son's Death
Marcus died at age 23 after falling asleep hungover on a sofa while eating a sandwich. A half cherry tomato lodged in his windpipe, causing brain damage from lack of oxygen. Despite Wendy's CPR efforts and paramedics rushing him to hospital, his life support was switched off after five days. Wendy described visiting him in the funeral home: "I broke when I saw him in there. My boy, on a metal table. You can't come back from that, you know. That's when I died too, inside."
Struggle with Grief
Wendy underwent extensive counselling and took antidepressants but attempted suicide nine months after Marcus's death. A friend raised the alarm, and she spent two weeks on a ventilator. She briefly admitted herself to a psychiatric ward but left after one night, calling conditions "prison-like." She said: "I did try to get better... but they can't help you. They don't have to live your life, and my life is agony."
Choice of Pegasos Clinic
Wendy chose Pegasos because it accepts psychiatric-only cases with severe, long-lasting, treatment-resistant conditions. She applied in early 2025 and underwent over a year of assessments. Under Swiss law, she administered the lethal medication herself, listening to Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars' Die With A Smile. She waited until her two dogs died of old age before setting the date.
Family Support and Public Debate
Four of her siblings were informed and gave their blessing. Wendy wrote letters to loved ones and wore Marcus's T-shirt. Her ashes will be returned to the UK and scattered with Marcus's at a park bench. She chose to go public to contribute to the assisted dying debate, aware her story would be "a grenade lobbed into the debate." She said: "I wish this was available in the UK, then I wouldn't have to go to Switzerland at all."
