A 79-year-old woman from Missouri, Gayle Hendrix, has made the heart-wrenching decision to travel to Switzerland for medically assisted suicide. Hendrix, who was diagnosed with lupus and interstitial lung disease, recently shared her story in an emotional interview alongside her daughter, Charlene Foeste, with Fox 19 Now.
Hendrix’s health has deteriorated to the point where she is on oxygen around the clock and can only walk short distances. Faced with declining quality of life, she has decided to pursue euthanasia to retain her dignity in death. “My body, my choice, my death,” she told the interviewer.
Missouri law does not permit euthanasia, nor does it apply to her case, as she is not on life support. While physician-assisted suicide is legal in 10 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., the strict requirements, including a prognosis of six months or less to live, do not apply to her. As a result, Hendrix will travel to Switzerland, where assisted dying has been legal since the 1940s.
Hendrix reflected on her life, saying, “I’ve had a great life, and I want to have some dignity when I’m going to the next phase.” She shared that her decision comes not from a place of sadness but rather a desire to avoid a slow and painful decline. She wants to die on her own terms before her illness strips away her autonomy completely. “I don’t want to get that sick. I don’t want to get to the point of this is existing, not living.”
Despite her decision, Hendrix’s daughter, Charlene, has mixed feelings. While she disagrees with her mother’s choice, she is committed to supporting her, even accompanying her to Switzerland. “It’s not my choice,” Charlene said, fighting back tears, “but there’s no way on the planet my mom is going to do this alone—no way.”
The procedure, which is scheduled for September 26, involves a simple and painless process. Hendrix will be administered medication through an IV, first to put her to sleep and then to stop her bodily functions. After her death, Hendrix will be cremated, and her remains will be returned to Missouri.
Hendrix, who recently retired after a long career in human resources and contact tracing, has found peace in her decision. “I just am peaceful about my decision, and it’s the right thing for me and my body,” she said.
Her story brings attention to the ongoing debate over physician-assisted suicide in the U.S. Advocacy groups, such as Death with Dignity, continue to push for broader acceptance of laws allowing for medically assisted dying, a topic that remains controversial due to religious and ethical considerations.
