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Right-to-die man Tony Nicklinson dead after refusing food Right-to-die man Tony Nicklinson dead after refusing food
(40 minutes later)
Tony Nicklinson, a man with locked-in syndrome who fought for the right for doctors to legally end his life, has died.Tony Nicklinson, a man with locked-in syndrome who fought for the right for doctors to legally end his life, has died.
The 58-year-old was paralysed from the neck down after suffering a stroke in 2005 and described his life since then as a "living nightmare".The 58-year-old was paralysed from the neck down after suffering a stroke in 2005 and described his life since then as a "living nightmare".
Last week Mr Nicklinson, from Melksham, Wiltshire, lost his High Court case to allow doctors to end his life.Last week Mr Nicklinson, from Melksham, Wiltshire, lost his High Court case to allow doctors to end his life.
His family solicitor said that he had refused food from last week.His family solicitor said that he had refused food from last week.
Lawyer Saimo Chahal said: "I am extremely sad to tell you that I received a call at 10.45am from Jane Nicklinson to inform me that her husband Tony died peacefully at home at about 10am this morning. Saimo Chahal said Mr Nicklinson died at home at about 10:00 BST accompanied by his wife, Jane, and two daughters, Lauren and Beth.
'Goodbye world' 'Heartbroken by decision'
"Jane told me that Tony went rapidly downhill over last weekend, having contracted pneumonia. She said: "Jane told me that Tony went rapidly downhill over last weekend, having contracted pneumonia."
She added: "Jane said that, after Tony received the draft judgment on 12 August refusing his claim, the fight seemed to go out of him.
"He said that he was heartbroken by the High Court decision that he could not end his life at a time of his choosing with the help of a new doctor.
When Tony Nicklinson had a catastrophic stroke it left his body almost completely paralysed, however, his intellect was undimmed.When Tony Nicklinson had a catastrophic stroke it left his body almost completely paralysed, however, his intellect was undimmed.
He overcame the difficulty of communicating through blinking to launch a challenge on the law on assisted suicide and murder, which went further than any before.He overcame the difficulty of communicating through blinking to launch a challenge on the law on assisted suicide and murder, which went further than any before.
Mr Nicklinson wanted the "right-to-die" yet was unable to take his own life or take a cocktail of lethal drugs prepared for him.Mr Nicklinson wanted the "right-to-die" yet was unable to take his own life or take a cocktail of lethal drugs prepared for him.
He would need to be killed by someone else, which would constitute murder.He would need to be killed by someone else, which would constitute murder.
Mr Nicklinson wanted the law changed to ensure doctors would not be charged if they took his life. It would have been a huge change to the law.Mr Nicklinson wanted the law changed to ensure doctors would not be charged if they took his life. It would have been a huge change to the law.
While High Court judges said the case was "deeply moving" they ruled that the issue was for Parliament to decide.While High Court judges said the case was "deeply moving" they ruled that the issue was for Parliament to decide.
Mr Nicklinson said he was "devastated" by the decision and last week had vowed to continue the challenge.Mr Nicklinson said he was "devastated" by the decision and last week had vowed to continue the challenge.
"He had made an advanced directive in 2004 refusing any life-sustaining treatment and also refused food from last week." "He could not understand how the legal argument on his behalf could not succeed."
Mr Nicklinson's wife, Jane, and two grown-up daughters, Lauren and Beth, had earlier updated his personal Twitter account. She said Mr Nicklinson had told her two days after the ruling he was "crestfallen, totally devastated and very frightened".
He had added: "I fear for the future and the misery it is bound to bring.
"I suppose it was wrong of me to invest so much hope and expectation into the judgment but I really believed in the veracity of the argument and quite simply could not understand how anybody could disagree with the logic.
"I guess I forgot the emotional component."
Ms Chahal said Mr Nicklinson had made an advanced directive in 2004 refusing any life-sustaining treatment.
Mr Nicklinson's family had earlier updated his personal Twitter account.
The messages said: "You may already know, my Dad died peacefully this morning of natural causes. he was 58.The messages said: "You may already know, my Dad died peacefully this morning of natural causes. he was 58.
"Before he died, he asked us to tweet: 'Goodbye world the time has come, I had some fun'. "Before he died, he asked us to tweet: 'Goodbye world the time has come, I had some fun'."
"Thank you for your support over the years. We would appreciate some privacy at this difficult time."
A message sent from the Twitter account of Mr Nicklinson's daughter Beth said: "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 had been paralysed since suffering a stroke while on a business trip to Athens.Mr Nicklinson had been paralysed since suffering a stroke while on a business trip to Athens.
He had campaigned for the law to be changed to allow doctors to assist his suicide without fear of prosecution.He had campaigned for the law to be changed to allow doctors to assist his suicide without fear of prosecution.
'Absolutely heartbroken'
Prior to last week's case, in an article he wrote for the BBC, he had described his life as "a living nightmare".Prior to last week's case, in an article he wrote for the BBC, he had described his life as "a living nightmare".
He wrote: "What I find impossible to live with is the knowledge that... I have no way out - suicide - when this life gets too much to bear." He said: "What I find impossible to live with is the knowledge that... I have no way out - suicide - when this life gets too much to bear."
He added: "It cannot be acceptable in 21st Century Britain that I am denied the right to take my own life just because I am physically handicapped."He added: "It cannot be acceptable in 21st Century Britain that I am denied the right to take my own life just because I am physically handicapped."
However, three High Court judges rejected his plea for the law to be changed, saying the issue should be left to Parliament.However, three High Court judges rejected his plea for the law to be changed, saying the issue should be left to Parliament.
Another man, known only as Martin, who is 47, also lost his case to end his life with medical help.Another man, known only as Martin, who is 47, also lost his case to end his life with medical help.
Following the ruling, Mr Nicklinson's wife described the decision as "one-sided" and said her husband was "absolutely heartbroken".
Wiltshire Police said the force was not investigating Mr Nicklinson's death.Wiltshire Police said the force was not investigating Mr Nicklinson's death.
A spokesman said: "His death certificate has been signed by a doctor, so it is not a matter for Wiltshire Police or the coroner."A spokesman said: "His death certificate has been signed by a doctor, so it is not a matter for Wiltshire Police or the coroner."