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Jack Kevorkian: 'Doctor Death' dies in US aged 83 | Jack Kevorkian: 'Doctor Death' dies in US aged 83 |
(40 minutes later) | |
Jack Kevorkian, the man known as "Dr Death", for helping the terminally ill end their lives, has died in the US aged of 83, his lawyer has said. | Jack Kevorkian, the man known as "Dr Death", for helping the terminally ill end their lives, has died in the US aged of 83, his lawyer has said. |
Mayer Morganroth told the Associated Press news agency Kevorkian died on Friday at Michigan's Beaumont Hospital. | Mayer Morganroth told the Associated Press news agency Kevorkian died on Friday at Michigan's Beaumont Hospital. |
Kevorkian died after a blood clot from his leg broke free and lodged in his heart, the Detroit Free Press reported. | Kevorkian died after a blood clot from his leg broke free and lodged in his heart, the Detroit Free Press reported. |
He was believed to have assisted in 130 suicides and was released from prison in 2007, after serving eight years. | He was believed to have assisted in 130 suicides and was released from prison in 2007, after serving eight years. |
Kevorkian had been in hospital since last month with pneumonia and kidney problems, said Mr Morganroth, who was also a friend of Kevorkian's. | Kevorkian had been in hospital since last month with pneumonia and kidney problems, said Mr Morganroth, who was also a friend of Kevorkian's. |
He added that hospital staff played recordings of classical music for Kevorkian before he died. | He added that hospital staff played recordings of classical music for Kevorkian before he died. |
Murder conviction | Murder conviction |
Kevorkian was originally given a 10-25 year sentence for a second-degree murder conviction in the death of terminally ill Thomas Youk. | Kevorkian was originally given a 10-25 year sentence for a second-degree murder conviction in the death of terminally ill Thomas Youk. |
But the former pathologist later won an appeal based on his own failing health and served only eight years. | But the former pathologist later won an appeal based on his own failing health and served only eight years. |
His lawyers had said he suffered from hepatitis C and diabetes. | His lawyers had said he suffered from hepatitis C and diabetes. |
He had promised in affidavits that he would not assist in a suicide if he was released. | He had promised in affidavits that he would not assist in a suicide if he was released. |
Kevorkian told the BBC in 2007 he had no regrets for conducting assisted suicides. | Kevorkian told the BBC in 2007 he had no regrets for conducting assisted suicides. |
"I knew what I was doing... I accepted the consequences because I had to do the right thing," he said. | "I knew what I was doing... I accepted the consequences because I had to do the right thing," he said. |
The doctor ran for US Congress as an independent in 2008, receiving just 2.7% of the vote in a suburban Detroit district. | The doctor ran for US Congress as an independent in 2008, receiving just 2.7% of the vote in a suburban Detroit district. |
A film about Kevorkian's life, called You Don't Know Jack, was shown for the HBO television network in 2010. | A film about Kevorkian's life, called You Don't Know Jack, was shown for the HBO television network in 2010. |
The actor Al Pacino won an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of the pathologist. | The actor Al Pacino won an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of the pathologist. |
Kevorkian had claimed to have assisted in some 130 suicides, mostly in the Detroit area between 1990-98. | Kevorkian had claimed to have assisted in some 130 suicides, mostly in the Detroit area between 1990-98. |
Born in 1928, Kevorkian went to medical school, then worked as a pathologist - before retiring to pursue his controversial mission. | |
Kevorkian first gained international attention in 1990, helping a 54-year-old Alzheimers patient to die. | |
Many assisted suicides were conducted using his so-called mercy machine, which delivered lethal amounts of drugs intravenously. | Many assisted suicides were conducted using his so-called mercy machine, which delivered lethal amounts of drugs intravenously. |
Kevorkian's methods alienated many. In 1998 he offered on a "first come, first served" basis the kidneys of a man he had helped to die. | Kevorkian's methods alienated many. In 1998 he offered on a "first come, first served" basis the kidneys of a man he had helped to die. |