Family Questions Canada's Assisted-Dying Program After Woman's Death
An 83-year-old woman died under Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying program, with her family alleging she showed signs of cognitive decline and distress.
The family of an 83-year-old Canadian woman is seeking answers after her death through the country's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) program, alleging she exhibited signs of cognitive decline and distress prior to the procedure.
Brigitte Stegemann, who was described as a Christian grandmother, died on July 10 under the MAiD program, according to a report from The Daily Mail. Her granddaughter, Brigitte Kranendonk, who was Stegemann's primary caregiver, stated that her grandmother was placed in The Pearl care home in Cannifton due to physical and mental decline.
Kranendonk said Stegemann maintained a good appetite even after a stomach cancer diagnosis and had previously rejected the idea of MAiD when it was presented as an option. However, Kranendonk reported that her grandmother's situation changed in June while Kranendonk was away on a 10-day road trip.
While Kranendonk was away, she maintained contact with the care home and was informed that Stegemann had fallen and would require a wheelchair, but was not initially alerted to any significant decline. On July 3, Kranendonk received a call from the care home indicating plans to arrange a MAiD assessment for Stegemann, despite Stegemann's prior statements to her granddaughter that she did not want an assisted death.
Upon her return, Kranendonk reportedly confronted a nurse at The Pearl about who initiated the MAiD conversation. According to Kranendonk, the nurse became defensive, stating she was advocating for Stegemann and doing what she believed was right. Kranendonk learned that Stegemann had already undergone her first MAiD consultation.
Kranendonk alleged that during an assessment of her grandmother's mental capacity, Stegemann struggled with questions, incorrectly identifying members of her own family. During a subsequent MAiD assessment, Kranendonk stated that the doctor used vague terms, avoiding words like "death" or "dying." The doctor reportedly explained MAiD by saying, "We’re going to give you medicine, you’re going to feel at peace. And I just want you to know that you won’t have a bowel movement." When Kranendonk interjected that her grandmother did not understand, the doctor allegedly responded, "We’re going to make sure you won’t have any more pain." A doctor deemed Stegemann fit for MAiD and proceeded with the plan.
Two days before the procedure, Kranendonk asked her grandmother directly if she understood that the scheduled procedure meant she would die. According to The Daily Mail, Stegemann began to cry and stated she had "made a mistake." Kranendonk was told by the doctor that her grandmother could "deny" MAiD on the day of the procedure, but Stegemann was uncertain if her grandmother had truly consented and did not want to cause further distress.
Kranendonk was present during the procedure. She described the administering nurse struggling to insert the IV, piercing her grandmother multiple times and causing bleeding. The doctor then informed Stegemann she was there to give her "medicine." Kranendonk stated her grandmother did not respond, her eyes were closed, and she was not moving. The doctor proceeded with the procedure, and Stegemann died approximately 10 minutes later.
Kranendonk expressed regret for not pursuing a legal injunction to stop the MAiD procedure, noting she was unaware of that option. She has appealed to the Chief Coroner’s Office in Ontario, the Patient Ombudsman, and the Belleville Police to investigate the legality of what occurred.
Canada's MAID law, enacted in 2016, accounts for approximately one in every 20 deaths in the country, according to the BBC. Mira Metter, Director of "Broken Country," commented that the case raises questions about whether MAiD's safeguards are adequately protecting vulnerable individuals. Laura Echevarria, communications director for National Right to Life, stated that euthanasia and assisted suicide cross a line medicine should not cross, emphasizing that vulnerable individuals deserve protection and care, not death as a medical treatment, and that no safeguard can correct a mistake once a patient has died.
Fox News Digital reached out to Kranendonk, The Pearl, and Belleville Police for comment but did not receive an immediate response.