British Woman Pressured into “Assisted Suicide” by Husband in Swiss Death Center

A friend of a British couple who ended their lives at an assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland has shared her concerns that the husband coerced his wife into ending her life, according to media reports.

Ruth Posner, 96, and husband Michael, 97, neither of whom were terminally ill, told friends and family in an email message of their intention to end their lives at Swiss assisted suicide clinic, Pegasos, saying, “There came a point when failing senses, of sight and hearing and lack of energy was not living but existing that no care would improve”.

The couple added, “The decision was mutual and without any outside pressure”.

However, a friend of the couple, Julia Pascal, has questioned this statement, sharing her belief that Ruth was coerced by her husband, Michael, into ending her life.

Pascal, who had known the couple since 1990, described Ruth as being “totally under [Michael’s] control”, saying “Ruth was disempowered”.

“He was very dominant. I spoke to them and sent emails, saying ‘please don’t kill yourselves’. I tried to talk Ruth out of it, but I felt it was too far gone, that she was totally under his control”.

Pascal added, “Ruth sent the email, but I believe Michael would have dictated it to her”.