This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/8561918.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Failed 'mercy killing' wife dies | Failed 'mercy killing' wife dies |
(20 minutes later) | |
A woman convicted of trying to kill her husband in 1998 in what she said was an attempted "mercy killing" has died in an assisted suicide in Switzerland. | A woman convicted of trying to kill her husband in 1998 in what she said was an attempted "mercy killing" has died in an assisted suicide in Switzerland. |
Vicky Wood, from Harbertonford, Devon, who had a lung disease, spoke of her intention to die at the Dignitas clinic five years ago. | Vicky Wood, from Harbertonford, Devon, who had a lung disease, spoke of her intention to die at the Dignitas clinic five years ago. |
The artist was sentenced to two years probation in 1999 for trying to kill her husband Tim, who had dementia. | The artist was sentenced to two years probation in 1999 for trying to kill her husband Tim, who had dementia. |
The office of Anthony Steen MP said it had been informed of the death. | The office of Anthony Steen MP said it had been informed of the death. |
Mrs Wood took her husband out of a care home in October 1998 and attempted to end his life at their home. | Mrs Wood took her husband out of a care home in October 1998 and attempted to end his life at their home. |
Legal fight | |
She was arrested after she called the emergency services and police because she feared he had been injured when he fell to the floor. | She was arrested after she called the emergency services and police because she feared he had been injured when he fell to the floor. |
She later admitted attempting a "mercy killing". | She later admitted attempting a "mercy killing". |
I met her several times and was greatly impressed by her determination and conviction Anthony Steen MP | |
After being given probation, Mrs Wood - with the aid of Mr Steen, the MP for Totnes - succeeded in a legal fight to be her husband's carer as social services had begun moves to obtain guardianship rights over him. | |
Mr Wood, a former teacher at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon, had suffered from irreversible dementia since 1993 and was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in 1998. | Mr Wood, a former teacher at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon, had suffered from irreversible dementia since 1993 and was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in 1998. |
The 69-year-old died in July 1999 from natural causes. He had been a member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society. | |
Following the announcement of Mrs Wood's death, Mr Steen said: "I'm very sorry Mrs Wood felt it was the only option left to her. | |
"I met her several times and was greatly impressed by her determination and conviction." |