A Belgian woman who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of her five children 16 years ago ended her life by euthanasia at her request, major foreign media reported.
According to multiple media outlets, including the British BBC and Sky News, Genevieve Lhermitt murdered a son and four daughters on February 28, 2007 at the age of 40. Lhermitte’s children were between the ages of 3 and 14 at the time.
Lhermitte’s crimes were committed while her husband was away. Shortly after killing his children, Lermit attempted an extreme option but failed.
The murder of Lhermitte’s children and the trial that followed shook Belgium. At the time, Lermitt’s side insisted on mental weakness and tried not to imprison him, but the court judged it a premeditated murder and sentenced him to life in prison in 2008.
Lermitt, who was serving time in prison, was transferred to a mental hospital in 2019.
Source photos not directly related to the article. Getty Image BankBelgium allows euthanasia for people who are judged to be in intolerable pain, not only physically, but also mentally.
Those seeking euthanasia should be able to express their views on euthanasia in a reasonable and consistent manner, fully aware of their decision.
Lhermitt’s lawyers said that the procedure collected various medical findings from Lhermitt.
Psychologist Emily Marroit told Belgian media outlet RTL-TVI that “Lermitt may have chosen to perform euthanasia on February 28 as a symbolic gesture towards his children.”
Last year, 2,966 people died by euthanasia in Belgium. This is a 10% increase compared to 2021.
The most common cause of euthanasia is ‘cancer’, and 3 out of 4 people who chose euthanasia cited physical and mental pain as the reason.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.