Suspect in suicide drug case dies before ruling
Those in the Netherlands in life threatening danger should immediately dial 112 for emergencies, and anyone suffering from depression or contemplating suicide can call 113 Zelfmoordpreventie at any time by dialing either 113 or 0800-0113, or by visiting 113.nl.
One of the suspects in the case revolving around the suicide drug X died before the ruling, his lawyer Alexander Admiraal confirmed to RTL Boulevard. According to the lawyer, 80-year-old Loek de L. died of natural causes.
The man’s death puts an end to the criminal case against him. The case against the other six suspects, accused of assisted suicide by providing the suicide drug, continues.
The last hearing day of the trial was last Tuesday. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) recommended that the court sentence De L. to 2.5 years in prison, one of which was conditionally suspended.
According to Admiraal, De L. became unwell on Thursday evening and was admitted to intensive care. He died during the early hours of Saturday morning. A pathologist found no indication that he had taken his own life, the lawyer said.
“What also plays a role is that his family agreed with his vision of self-determination,” Admiraal said. “Loek’s whole idea was that you can say goodbye in a dignified way and bid your loved ones farewell. And that you first take the anti-emetic drug, then the Drug X, and that you leave a suicide next to you. There was none of that, he had not said goodbye to his loved ones either.”
