Man Who Wants To Die Is Dead

«§» 23 August 2012

British man, Tony Nicklinson who has been battling a legal tussle for the court to grant his doctors to help him die has passed after contracting pneumonia.

The ‘Locked-in syndrome’ sufferer was on Monday found dead at his home, just a week after he lost his High Court bid to end his own life with a doctor’s help.
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Mr Nicklinson was found dead six days after the judges’ refusal of his right-to-die case.

Just hours before his death was announced by his legal team, a final message had been posted on Twitter feed which read “Goodbye world the time has come, I had some fun.”

The 58-year-old’s family said he died at around 10am this morning, after contracting pneumonia. No further details were issued about the circumstances of Mr Nicklinson’s death.

Speaking on behalf of his family, solicitor Saimo Chahal said Mr Nicklinson died ‘peacefully at home’ surrounded by his family.

For the past seven years Mr Nicklinson has not been able to move anything apart from his head and eyes following a severe stroke while on a business trip to Athens. His only means of communication is via a computer triggered by blinks and head movements.

Police said they are not investigating Mr Nicklinson’s death. A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: ‘Police are not involved at all. We can confirm he passed away and it is not a matter for Wiltshire Police.

‘His death certificate has been signed by a doctor, so it is not a matter for Wiltshire Police or the coroner.’

A tweet posted on Mr Nicklinson’s profile this morning, which is regularly updated by members of his family on his behalf, read: “You may already know, my Dad died peacefully this morning of natural causes. he was 58.”

Another post, attributed to his wife, Jane, and grown-up children Lauren and Beth, said: “Thank you for your support over the years. We would appreciate some privacy at this difficult time.”

Beth Nicklinson, writing on her personal Twitter profile, paid tribute to her late father. She posted: “RIP @TonyNicklinson. Couldn’t have asked for a better dad, so strong. You are now at peace, we will be fine. I love you xxx”

Mr Nicklinson last week said he had been condemned by the law to ‘a life of increasing indignity and misery’.

High Court judges ruled that if no doctor was allowed to help Mr Nicklinson die, then his only option would be to die by starvation.

The landmark legal battle was the first time a right-to-die case had been granted a full hearing in a British court.

The heartbroken couple said they intended to appeal against the decision.

Mr Nicklinson’s daughter Lauren said last week that the family would keep fighting to allow her father to die ‘a pain-free and peaceful death’.

She rejected the argument of pro-life campaigners, saying that her father had a life only in the biological sense of the word.

‘Life should not be measured on the quantity, it should be the quality of life,’ she said.

‘Dad would rather live 51 years really happy than 90 years completely miserable.

‘Dad hasn’t got a life – his life consists of being washed by strangers, undignified moments watching the world go by around him.

‘Life should be about quality and happiness, not just for the sake of it.’

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Posted: at 23-08-2012 03:05 AM (11 years ago) | Hero

  so sad.

Posted: at 23-08-2012 04:03 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming

i  will be back

Posted: at 23-08-2012 09:35 AM (11 years ago) | Upcoming

R.i.p

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Posted: at 23-08-2012 12:52 PM (11 years ago) | Addicted Hero

Such is life. Na wa for Western culture. These guy want to die maybe bcos of what his docs told him. Instead of encouragin him to be of good help to our young people out there. Even talkin to married couples will made a diff. I really don't know what he is goin to tell God abt this issue. RIP.

Posted: at 23-08-2012 07:15 PM (11 years ago) | Hero