Family Questions Circumstances of Elderly Woman’s Assisted Death in Canada

The family of an 83-year-old Canadian woman, Brigitte Stegemann, is seeking answers about her death through Canada’s assisted-death program. Her granddaughter, Brigitte Kranendonk, states that Stegemann was unaware she was scheduled to die until just days before receiving a lethal injection.

Kranendonk, who was the primary caregiver for her grandmother, recounts returning from a shortened vacation upon learning that the care home had arranged a second assessment for Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) despite Stegemann declining the option earlier. Stegemann had initially refused MAiD after a stomach cancer diagnosis, preferring pain management options instead.

“Just before we had come back from our vacation, I received a phone call from the home stating that they had booked a second assessment for MAiD to happen with my grandmother, and at this point my Oma had already denied MAiD,” Kranendonk told Fox News Digital.

Despite suffering from physical and mental decline, Stegemann retained a good appetite and was in positive spirits. Concerns were raised about her understanding of the situation, given her hearing impairment and language barrier. Her first language was not English, and she feared appearing uninformed.

Kranendonk explains that Stegemann expressed confusion and distress when faced with the MAiD procedure. Upon realization of the impending procedure, Stegemann was visibly shocked and regretful.

Concerns were further heightened when Kranendonk witnessed the nurse administering the IV without gloves, leading to complications and significant bleeding. Additionally, there was no verbal acknowledgement from Stegemann when asked by the doctor if the procedure should proceed.

“And the doctor comes in and says, I can’t remember exactly how she worded it, but it was something like, ‘Good morning, Brigitte, are you OK if we proceed with MAiD,’ or, ‘Are you OK if we proceed?’ I can’t remember what she asked my Oma. My Oma doesn’t say anything. No acknowledgment, no head nod, nothing. Just lying there with her eyes closed. And the doctor says, ‘OK, we’re going to proceed,’” Kranendonk recalls.

The family is calling for investigations into the circumstances surrounding Stegemann’s death. This includes examining the actions of the care home and the procedural aspects of the MAiD process. Concerns involve how the paperwork was processed and whether Stegemann fully comprehended what she was signing.

Stegemann’s case adds to the broader conversation around Canada’s assisted-death policies, highlighting potential procedural missteps and the importance of informed consent.