Anne’s loved ones had believed she was simply vacationing in the country, completely unaware of her plans (Image: ITV News)
The sister of a healthy British woman who died at a Swiss clinic has revealed that her family only learned of her death through a two-line email.
Anne Canning, 51, secretly traveled to Switzerland to end her life at the Pegasos clinic, located near the city of Basel, in January 2025. The woman, originally from Haverfordwest, Wales, was in good health but had been struggling with grief following the sudden death of her son just months earlier.
Anne’s sister, Delia, speaking more than a year after the tragedy, said she was “disgusted” that the clinic failed to notify the family after the 51 year old had secretly made her way to the controversial facility.
Delia, 54, disclosed that she and her brother only became aware of Anne’s intentions after the 51 year old sent a goodbye letter to her family from Switzerland. According to Delia, Anne’s loved ones had believed she was simply vacationing in the country, completely unaware of her plans.
Anne Canning (Image: ITV News)
Speaking to The Telegraph, Delia said: “The impact Anne’s decision had on us was more about the shock and horror that such a thing could be arranged and executed in such a short timeframe, in absolute secret from all loved ones, with no other avenues being explored first,” reports the Mirror.
Delia further disclosed that following a prolonged silence from Anne, the family used postmarks on the farewell letters to trace her to the Pegasos clinic, which subsequently sent a two-line email confirming Anne had died. According to 2022 guidelines issued by the Swiss Medical Association, clinics are encouraged to notify relatives before a family member’s death, though this requirement carries no legal force.
Swiss legislation permits assisted suicide provided it isn’t performed for selfish motives, and clinics must demonstrate the patient’s condition was enduring, resistant to treatment and serious (Image: Pegasos)
Delia revealed her sister, a grandmother of two, was transformed following her son’s passing. She reflected: “I just wish she could have talked to somebody, one of the family or a professional, to persuade her to give it a little more time.”
Swiss legislation permits assisted suicide provided it isn’t performed for selfish motives, and clinics must demonstrate the patient’s condition was enduring, resistant to treatment and serious.
Regarding her sister, Delia questioned: “How could she have been in the right frame of mind to not think that the whole family would be completely torn apart and devastated? Somebody who is thinking that way is not very well. They need help, not a lethal injection.”
This follows the case of Wendy Duffy, from the West Midlands, who spent £10,000 to end her life at Pegasos, four years after her son Marcus, 23, died. Marcus passed away after choking on a sandwich that became trapped in his airway while at home. Wendy explained she couldn’t reconcile herself with her son’s unexpected death despite years of counseling, treatment and medication.
In her final days, Wendy declared: “I won’t change my mind. I know it’s hard for you, sweetheart. It will be hard for everyone. But I want to die, and that’s what I’m going to do. And I’ll have a smile on my face when I do, so please be happy for me. My life; my choice.” Unlike Anne, Wendy had informed her two brothers and four sisters about her decision before departing the UK for Switzerland.
The clinic’s founder, Ruedi Habegger, described Wendy’s death as a “sane suicide” (Image: Facebook)
“I can also confirm that neither we nor any of the professional staff assessing her mental capacity had any doubt as to her intention, understanding and independence of both thought and action. In historical terms at English law, hers was a case of ‘sane suicide.'”
The Pegasos clinic, following an ITV investigation, told the broadcaster in May 2024: “Pegasos has always respected the applicable Swiss law without exception and continues to do so.” The Mirror has reached out to the Pegasos clinic for comment.
The clinic’s founder, Ruedi Habegger, described Wendy’s death as a “sane suicide” and stated: “I can confirm that Wendy Duffy, at her own request, was assisted to die on April 24 and that the procedure was completed without incident and in full compliance with her wishes.