A young Spanish woman died in Barcelona after winning a long court fight for her euthanasia right.
FILE - Anti euthanasia protesters stand outside the Spanish Parliament in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, March 18, 2021. Banner in Spanish reads: 'Government of Death'. – Noelia Castillo , a Spanish woman who sought euthanasia and fought a protracted legal battle with her family over her right to do so, received life-ending medicine on Thursday in Barcelona.
She was 25. EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, international helplines can be found atFor a year and a half, Castillo pursued her right to die after her father put up a lengthy legal battle when a medical body in Catalonia approved his daughter’s request for euthanasia in 2024.passed legislation in 2021 enshrining the right to euthanasia and medically assisted suicide for patients meeting certain conditions. Castillo's young age, the public battle waged by her family to stop her and the circumstances that led her to seek euthanasia animated public opinion as the courts ultimately ruled in favor of her right to end her life. “At last, I’ve managed it, so let’s see if I can finally rest now,” Castillo told Spanish broadcaster Antena 3 in an interview that aired Wednesday, a day before her death."I just cannot go on anymore." Castillo's parents opposed her decision up until the end, and were represented by the conservative Catholic organization Abogados Cristianos in their fight to stop their daughter's euthanasia. The Catholic group on Thursday confirmed that she had died. Attorney Polonia Castellanos said Castillo's family was deeply disappointed with the outcome, and believed the Spanish government had abandoned and failed their daughter by allowing her to die.A lengthy legal battle Castillo tried taking her life twice before her death by euthanasia on Thursday, she said, the second time after she was sexually assaulted. The injuries she suffered from her second suicide attempt in October 2022 left her unable to use her legs and in a wheelchair. In April 2024, Castillo solicited euthanasia with an independent body in Catalonia made up of doctors, lawyers and bioethics experts who deliberate on the application of Spain’s law. The body approved Castillo’s request based on assessments that evaluated her condition as serious and incurable, and that the 25-year-old had severe, chronic and debilitating suffering. Spain legalized physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia in 2021 for long-suffering patients from incurable diseases and for people with unbearable permanent conditions. The process for patients to get approval to die involves submitting two requests in writing followed up by consultations with medical professionals not previously involved in the case. Castillo’s father appealed the Catalan body’s decision, which in August 2024 suspended the euthanasia request while it deliberated. Through Abogados Cristianos, Castillo's family argued that she suffered from mental illness that rendered her incapable of making the decision to end her life. When the Barcelona court ruled in favor of Castillo's right to euthanasia, her father's lawyers appealed again, taking the case to Spain’s Supreme Court, which in January upheld Castillo’s rights. Abogados Cristianos tried to halt the procedure again by appealing to the European Court of Human Rights, which earlier this month denied the request to put it on hold. On Thursday, Castellanos repeated her client's arguments that Castillo had a personality disorder and held up Castillo's case as an example of the law failing citizens. “It is a person whose will altered by that disorder,” Castellanos said. “I think this is proof of the failure of the law and that it has to be urgently repealed.”Speaking to Spanish TV Wednesday, Castillo said she did not want her family to be around when she died, claiming that she was misunderstood. She acknowledged the glaring media spotlight that her case had drawn. “None of my family is in favor of euthanasia, obviously, because I'm another pillar of the family," she said, adding, “but what about the pain that I've suffered all of these years?” Spain is among nine European Union countries that have laws allowing those experiencing unbearable suffering to access assisted dying, according to Dignity in Dying, a U.K.-based rights group that advocates in favor of euthanasia and medically assisted dying. That involves patients themselves taking a lethal drink or medication that has been prescribed by a doctor to patients who meet certain criteria. The criteria vary by country. Euthanasia, on the other hand, involves doctors or health practitioners, under strict conditions, actively killing patients who meet certain conditions by giving them a lethal injection at their request. Since Spain adopted its euthanasia law, 1,123 people have been administered life-ending medicine up until the end of 2024, according to Spain's Health Ministry. Castillo said she never questioned her decision as she had to reassert her desire to die over the past year and a half. The calculus for her was simple. “The happiness of a father or a mother should not take precedence over the happiness or the life of a daughter." Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Slow down & move over: Ride-along with JSO traffic patrol drives home important safety reminders⚾️ Opening Day + perfect weather=the ultimate Friday night in Jax0:33Study finds most ‘Mayport Shrimp’ dishes served in Jacksonville area are actually importedViral video of Dasaun Williams’ takedown prompts new use of force questionsNew ‘larger format’ Publix store in SilverLeaf features wine bar, expanded deli menu, custom pizzasNew ‘larger format’ Publix store in SilverLeaf features wine bar, expanded deli menu, custom pizzasUSS Donald Cook departs Mayport as Operation Epic Fury continuesFamily of A’hmari Robinson shares stories at candlelight vigil days after his deathDevelopers break ground on affordable housing project in St. AugustineGetting ready for the next GROW ROUND! Tower Garden maintenance...End the month off right with this lineup of events from March 26-29Big: Culture & Arts Festival brings Grammy-nominated rappers, art, culture to Gainesville▶Split Happens Ep. 9: The role of mediation in resolving legal disputes efficientlyBurden of failing roof lifted for Jacksonville veteran through volunteer projectFriends and family gather to remember 19-year-old who died in motorcycle crash on Buckman BridgeAccused shooter in death of 2-year-old boy denied bondJacksonville mentor known as ‘That Lemonade Lady’ fighting for life after electrical shockGardening in a new light. Some recommended updates for healthier seedlings.Families bid farewell as USS Mason heads out for deployment from Naval Station MayportPowerful winds, worsening drought threaten Jacksonville areaYour next beach day find could change someone’s life. 🌊☀️JSO arrests 21-year-old man accused of fatally shooting 2-year-oldNights of Lights dates permanently changed in 3 to 2 voteFormer JEA chief of staff tells City Council committee employees are ‘scared for their job’Previous photo
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Barcelona President Speaks on Start of Financial Woes, Messi’s Exit, LegacyThe man many deem responsible for Barcelona’s downfall defended his presidential tenure in a tell-all interview.
Read more »
Lionel Messi Snubbed by Barcelona President in Ongoing FeudThe relationship between Messi and Joan Laporta remains an uncomfortable one.
Read more »
Spanish Prime Minister condemns US-Israel war with IranBasic
Read more »
Meet F1’s Next Big Corner, Madring’s ‘La Monumental’ CurveThe Spanish Grand Prix’s new corner looks spectacular, but will 2026 rules hold it back?
Read more »
Barcelona takes on Spanish rival Real Madrid in Women's Champions League quarterfinalsReal Madrid will try to close in on a first semifinal appearance in the Women’s Champions League when it hosts three-time champion Barcelona in the first leg of the quarterfinals
Read more »
Rodri Says ‘Yes’ to Real Madrid—But the Blockbuster Transfer Is a Huge GambleThe Spanish midfielder could be the next Premier League star to call the Bernabéu home.
Read more »