Warning: This story contains references to sexual assault and suicide.
A Spanish woman who has conducted a long legal battle with her father for the right to end her life died by euthanasia on Thursday.
Barcelona resident Noelia Castillo, 25, was left paraplegic due to injuries suffered when she tried to take her own life in 2022.
The Catalan government granted her the right to assisted dying in the summer of 2024 but the process was suspended at the last moment after legal objections raised by her father, with the backing of the conservative campaign group Christian Lawyers (Abogados Cristianos).
He argued his daughter suffered from a personality disorder which affected her judgement, pointing to the obligation of the state to protect the lives of people, especially the most vulnerable, as is the case with a young person with mental health problems.
The appeal started an 18-month legal battle which ended when the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled in Noelia Castillo's favour.
On Thursday evening, Abogados Cristianos announced on X that Castillo had died by euthanasia, stating that her case highlights the serious flaws in Spain's euthanasia law.
Speaking to Spanish TV earlier this week, Castillo expressed that her father did not respect her decision: He hasn't respected my decision and never will, she stated. She recounted a difficult childhood largely spent in care homes.
Her hardships included being sexually assaulted by her ex-boyfriend after taking sleeping pills, as well as another assault by multiple men in a nightclub. Castillo communicated that she always felt alone and was unwavering in her decision to opt for euthanasia.
Nobody in my family is in favour, she remarked. I am leaving and you are staying here with all the pain, but what about all the suffering I have endured over the years? I just want to leave in peace and stop the pain. The happiness of a father or a mother or a sister shouldn't precede the happiness of a daughter.
Noelia indicated that while her family could say goodbye, she preferred to be alone with her doctor during the procedure. Her mother, Yolanda, although disagreeing with her daughter's choice, said she respected it.
Spain's euthanasia law, effective from 2021, saw around 426 assisted dying requests granted in 2024 alone, marking a significant legal journey for those seeking such options. This case has highlighted the complexities and emotional weight surrounding end-of-life decisions in Spain.
