British Woman Dies by Euthanasia in New Zealand After Fighting for Assisted Dying Rights in the UK
Tracy Hickman, 37, peacefully passed away through euthanasia on a New Zealand beach, surrounded by her loved ones, after a long battle with terminal breast cancer and a tireless fight for assisted dying rights in the UK.
Hickman, diagnosed with terminal breast cancer during a routine mammogram over five years ago, chose to spend her final moments "on a beach in the sunshine" on Wednesday, as revealed by her close friend Dom Harvey in an Instagram post. "It was exactly what she wanted," Harvey wrote, sharing details from a recent interview where Hickman described her planned final day: starting with chocolate for breakfast, then heading to the beach with her sister, her sister's husband, her niece, her partner, and a few close friends to listen to the waves and see the sea before taking the final dose of medicine.
Hickman, an accountant, expressed immense relief in having control over her death, allowing her to say her goodbyes. "I feel I’ve been given this massive gift. I feel privileged," she said, acknowledging how fortunate she was to go out on her own terms.
Her partner, Paul Qualtrough, echoed these sentiments, calling euthanasia "the best of a bad set of shitty options." He emphasized the comfort in knowing her death would be gentle and on her terms.
In the UK, euthanasia remains illegal, with severe penalties for those involved in performing it. In contrast, New Zealand's "End of Life Choice Act" of 2019, effective since 2021, permits euthanasia for terminally ill adults with six months to live. Hickman, an outspoken advocate for euthanasia, praised New Zealand's laws and hoped the UK would eventually adopt similar legislation.
Linda Clarke, Hickman's sister, supported her decision, stressing the importance of the right to a peaceful death and hoping UK lawmakers would consider her sister’s story. She highlighted the horrific nature of a terminal illness and the need for compassionate options like assisted dying.
Despite multiple debates in the British Parliament, including a 2022 proposal, assisted dying legislation has yet to pass in the UK. Hickman’s story adds to the ongoing discussion on the right to a peaceful death, as more countries and states consider similar laws.
