A British man who helped his terminally ill wife travel to Switzerland to end her own life should be allowed to inherit part of her estate, London’s High Court has ruled in a case that highlights the complexity of the law on assisted dying.
Myra Morris died in December 2023, aged 73, after having administered an overdose of pentobarbital at the Pegasos clinic in Liestal, Switzerland.
She suffered from multiple system atrophy, a rare and degenerative neurological disorder with no known cure, which left her in constant pain.
Her husband, Philip, was barred from inheriting Myra’s estate under English law because he reluctantly helped his wife take her own life.
Philip Morris appealed to the High Court in London and a judge ruled this week that the rule should not apply in his case.
In the ruling, Judge William Trower said Morris had tried to persuade his wife not to end her own life and reluctantly helped her out of compassion.
In a statement cited by the judge, Morris argues that “for a woman of such beauty, intelligence, dignity and grace, being physically disabled and dependent on others made life intolerable for Myra.”
“I was desperate for Myra to change her mind, but she was firm in her decision that she wanted to be worthy until the end, which is why she chose to end her life. She faced a future she didn’t want.”
The case highlights the legal difficulties faced by people with terminal illnesses who wish to take their own lives — Philip and Myra spoke to a lawyer before traveling to Switzerland, including to find out whether Philip could be prosecuted.
Those who accompany relatives who choose euthanasia in places like Switzerland can be prosecuted in the UK for aiding suicide, subject to a sentence of up to 14 years in prison.
Morris spoke to police the day after he returned to the UK and was told he had nothing to report, the court document says.
The case comes ahead of the presentation of a bill on assisted dying to Parliament next week.
This content was originally published in British who helped terminally ill wife take her own life can inherit assets on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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