Sue Rodriguez Cause of Death

Sue Rodriguez was a Canadian right-to-die activist. In August 1991, she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) and was given two to five years to live.

She ultimately made the decision to end her life and she sought the assistance of a doctor to that end, leading to a legal battle.

She lost her case in front of the Supreme Court of Canada but took her own life with the help of an anonymous doctor on February 12, 1994. She is cited as an important figure in the eventual legalization of medical assistance for dying in Canada.

On June 17, 2016, medically assisted death became legal in Canada. An emotional Svend Robinson, who now lives in Geneva, Switzerland, told the press: “Today’s ruling is a victory for compassion, for justice and for humanity.

And I pay tribute to the memory of Sue Rodriguez, who with courage, passion and dignity blazed the trail that led to this historic day. She would have been thrilled”.

Sue Rodriguez Cause of Death

On February 12, 1994, with the assistance of an anonymous doctor, Sue Rodriguez ended her own life by ingesting a liquid mixture of morphine and secobarbital.

The doctor’s intervention was arranged by MP Svend Robinson, who was regarded as one of Rodriguez’s most prominent supporters. Robinson was present at her death.

However, by her request, her ex-husband Henry and their son Cole were not. An investigation was undertaken, but no charges were laid. Robinson has vowed never to reveal the anonymous doctor’s identity.

Almost 23 years later, on June 7, 2016, medical assistance in dying became legal in Canada as the result of a similar Supreme Court case, Carter v Canada (AG).

The Court unanimously struck down parts of section 241(b) and section 14 of the Criminal Code which the justices ruled unjustifiably infringed on section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.