Peruvian Psychologist Makes History as First Person in Peru to Die by Euthanasia Following Lengthy Legal Battle

Peruvian Psychologist Dies by Euthanasia, Making History in the Country

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Ana Estrada, a Peruvian psychologist who had been bedridden for several years due to an incurable disease, made history by becoming the first person in the country to die by euthanasia with medical assistance. Her lawyer confirmed the news on Monday, stating that Estrada had fought for years in Peruvian courts for the right to die with dignity.

Estrada, 47, suffered from polymyositis, a disease that weakens muscles and had left her unable to walk since the age of 20. Despite her condition, she pursued a psychology degree, became a therapist, and even bought her own apartment, gaining independence from her parents.

In 2022, after a long legal battle, the nation’s Supreme Court granted Estrada the right to decide when to end her life, making her the first person in Peru to have this privilege. Her lawyer, Josefina Miró Quesada, praised Estrada for her advocacy efforts, stating that her struggle had raised awareness about the right to die with dignity.

Estrada, who used transcription software to communicate through a blog called “Ana for a death with dignity,” expressed her desire to have the freedom to choose when to end her suffering. She participated in court sessions through video conferences and emphasized that she valued life but wanted the option to bid farewell to her loved ones peacefully.

The case of Ana Estrada highlights the ongoing debate around euthanasia and assisted suicide, with only a few countries, including Canada, Belgium, and Spain, legalizing the practice. In the United States, some states allow physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients.