One of Ella Findlay’s last acts was to sky dive, as well as to have tea at the Savoy and explore Norway.
After reaching the end of her bucket list by getting a tattoo, the 36-year-old — who had both multiple sclerosis and terminal cancer — took her own life at home, alone except for her cat Minnie.
Her story will be presented as evidence in a five-day challenge to the law on assisted dying that starts in the Appeal Court tomorrow involving Noel Conway, 67. The retired college lecturer has motor neurone disease and less than a year to live.
The Star Trek actor Sir Patrick Stewart, patron of the Dignity in Dying charity which is supporting Conway, said the current law “fails dying people”.
“The terminally ill wife of a dear friend . . . attempted to end her own life by taking stockpiled medication,” he said.
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“She was unsuccessful but later managed to suffocate herself with a plastic bag while her husband was out. An assisted dying law would have allowed her to die with dignity, not traumatised and alone.”
Findlay’s mother, Michele, said her daughter had died alone for fear that friends and family would be prosecuted if they helped her.
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