The twin sister of a British mother who decided to end her life in Switzerland following the loss of her son expressed shock at the unexpected decision. Wendy Duffy, aged 56, opted for assisted dying at the Pegasos clinic in Switzerland, despite not having a terminal illness. The former care worker from the West Midlands struggled to cope with the death of her son, Marcus, four years ago, despite undergoing therapy and taking antidepressants.

After Wendy’s passing, her family learned about it through the media rather than directly from the clinic, contrary to the clinic’s claim that they had informed Wendy’s siblings. Wendy’s anonymous twin sister revealed that the family was completely unaware of Wendy’s intentions.

The family expressed disappointment in the lack of communication from the clinic, with Wendy’s nephew Marcus criticizing Pegasos for not consulting the family before Wendy’s death. He raised his concerns with both Swiss and British authorities, highlighting the alleged lack of family involvement in the decision-making process.

Despite claims of proper procedures by the Pegasos clinic, Marcus argued that Wendy’s mental health issues were not adequately addressed before her decision to undergo assisted suicide. He questioned the clinic’s assessment of Wendy’s mental state and decision-making capacity.

Swiss law allows for assisted suicide under certain conditions, including the requirement that it is not motivated by self-interest and that the patient’s condition is severe and long-lasting. The Mirror reached out to Pegasos for their response to the family’s concerns.

Wendy’s son tragically passed away four years ago after choking on a sandwich made by his mother. In her final days, Wendy expressed her resolve in her decision to end her life, citing her personal choice and asking her loved ones to understand and support her decision.

While acknowledging Wendy’s grief, Marcus believed that more support should have been provided to prevent her from taking such a drastic step. He emphasized the importance of addressing mental health issues in such cases and ensuring thorough evaluation before allowing assisted suicide.

For those in need of emotional support, the Samaritans helpline is available 24/7 for assistance.