WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT. Wendy Duffy, the bereaved mother who has today ended her life at an assisted dying clinic, has spoken out about being ‘super-organised’ ahead of her one-way trip, making her poignant final requests clear
A British mother who has today ended her own life at a clinic in Switzerland, despite not having a terminal illness, previously opened up about her tragic final wishes.
Wendy Duffy, 56, was left devastated by the death of her son, Marcus, four years ago, and while she has undergone therapy and courses of antidepressants, this has sadly done nothing to ease her grief. Unable to come to terms with her loss, the West Midlands woman paid £10,000 to end her life at the Pegasos clinic, saying she doesn’t want to be “in this world” without her only child.
Marcus was just 23 years old when he fell asleep on the sofa while eating a sandwich, hungover after a night out. A cherry tomato became lodged in his windpipe, with fatal consequences. The medically trained former care worker attempted CPR, but to no avail. The devoted mother sat by Marcus’ side for five days before his life support was switched off.
Driven to despair, Wendy attempted suicide nine months after her son’s death. Then, in early 2025, she asked for a formal application to Pegasos, an assisted dying clinic that, unlike other facilities such as Dignitas, accepts psychiatric-only cases where there is no physical illness
Applicants must meet strict criteria before being accepted, showing that their condition is severe, long-lasting and resistant to treatment. Wendy passed her final assessment earlier this year and is scheduled to die today (April 24). Before making her one-way journey, Wendy made her heartbreaking last wishes clear, arranging every final detail.
READ MORE: What to know about Wendy Duffy case as Brit mum with no terminal illness pays £10k to end life
In a conversation with the Mail Online in the days leading up to her death, Wendy shared how she’d already written her goodbye letters to loved ones and chosen the music she wanted to be playing as she passed away – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars singing the poignantly titled Die With A Smile.
Wendy knew the exact outfit she wished to die in – a t-shirt which had belonged to Marcus, which “still smells of him”. She told the publication: “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.”
As noted by Mail journalist Jenny Johnson, Wendy appeared excited about the trip, appearing almost like “a woman heading to Barbados on holiday”. The bereaved mother shared: “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.”
There wasn’t an option to donate her organs, which Wendy regarded as “the only drawback” to the process. After being cremated in Switzerland, Wendy’s ashes will be brought back to family members in the UK and scattered alongside those of Marcus at “his” bench. There won’t be a funeral, which Wendy asserted that she “hates” anyway.
While Wendy’s six siblings – four sisters and two brothers – were aware of her application, they weren’t informed of the ‘procedure’ timeline. This is intended to protect them. Should anyone assist Wendy in any way, even by giving her a lift to the airport, they could have found themselves facing a police investigation and even prosecution.
Although Wendy acknowledged her decision would be tough on her surviving family members, she had no regrets. She said: “I won’t change my mind,’ she says. ‘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..”
In England and Wales, the assisted dying bill would not have allowed cases such as Wendy’s, as it was intended only to be used by those in sound mind who are terminally ill with six months to live.
This afternoon, the bill ran out of time in the House of Lords, meaning it will not become law.
Meanwhile, Dignitas, the best-known Swiss clinic, would have rejected Wendy’s application. Before being accepted by Pegasos, Wendy had to get approval from an expert panel, which included psychiatrists. Her application was eventually accepted following a months-long assessment process, during which experts would have had full access to her medical records.
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com
