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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Failed 'mercy killing' wife dies | Failed 'mercy killing' wife dies |
| (about 3 hours 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. |
| Vicki Wood, 67, from Harbertonford, Devon, who had a lung disease, spoke of her intention to die with assistance from Dignitas five years ago. | Vicki Wood, 67, from Harbertonford, Devon, who had a lung disease, spoke of her intention to die with assistance from Dignitas five years ago. |
| The artist was sentenced to two years probation in 1999 for trying to kill her husband Tim, 69, who had dementia. | The artist was sentenced to two years probation in 1999 for trying to kill her husband Tim, 69, who had dementia. |
| He died later that year from natural causes. Mrs Wood died on 5 March. | |
| Legal fight | Legal fight |
| 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. |
| 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 | 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 Anthony 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. | After being given probation, Mrs Wood - with the aid of Anthony 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 had suffered from irreversible dementia since 1993 and was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in 1998. | Mr Wood had suffered from irreversible dementia since 1993 and was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in 1998. |
| The former teacher at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon, had been a member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society. | The former teacher at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon, 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. | 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. | "I met her several times and was greatly impressed by her determination and conviction. |
| "I visited her late husband in a nursing home when he had advanced Alzheimer's and was unable to recognise his wife or do anything for himself - it was quite heartbreaking. | "I visited her late husband in a nursing home when he had advanced Alzheimer's and was unable to recognise his wife or do anything for himself - it was quite heartbreaking. |
| "This is a very sad ending to two tragic stories." | "This is a very sad ending to two tragic stories." |
| 'Immeasurable good' | 'Immeasurable good' |
| Prior to Mrs Wood's death, she had agreed an obituary written by her friend, Andy Christian. | Prior to Mrs Wood's death, she had agreed an obituary written by her friend, Andy Christian. |
| It described her as having led a "bountiful life" and being a "loving wife and an enviable godmother". | It described her as having led a "bountiful life" and being a "loving wife and an enviable godmother". |
| Mr Christian also wrote: "Vicki has touched and enriched the lives of so many of her friends and fellow makers. | Mr Christian also wrote: "Vicki has touched and enriched the lives of so many of her friends and fellow makers. |
| "She leaves a gap which will only be partially filled by the works she has left behind. | "She leaves a gap which will only be partially filled by the works she has left behind. |
| "For those of us who are lucky enough to remember her bright, questioning eyes and her warm, intelligent smile she has passed on something of immeasurable good." | "For those of us who are lucky enough to remember her bright, questioning eyes and her warm, intelligent smile she has passed on something of immeasurable good." |
| A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Switzerland on 5 March. | |
| "We stand ready to provide consular assistance to the family if requested." |