Justice for Devoted Husband Who Helped Terminally Ill Wife Die

A man who helped his terminally ill wife die by accompanying her to Switzerland will finally see justice, and we don’t mean he’s getting locked up. He will, instead, inherit her estate after years of legal battles.

At a glance:

  • Philip Morris, who helped his terminally ill wife travel to Switzerland for assisted suicide, has been allowed to inherit her estate in a landmark High Court ruling.
  • English law typically forbids individuals who assist in suicide from claiming inheritance, but the judge ruled in favor of Morris due to the circumstances and support from the family.
  • This case comes as a new Bill on assisted dying is set to be presented in Parliament, potentially offering terminally ill adults the choice to end their life legally in the UK.

In a landmark ruling, the High Court has allowed Philip Morris, 76, to inherit his wife’s estate after he helped her travel to Switzerland to end her life at an assisted suicide clinic. Morris had initially been barred from claiming his inheritance due to English laws that prohibit individuals from benefiting from an estate if they assist in suicide. However, after months of legal proceedings, the court ruled that the law should not apply in his case.

The court heard how Morris’s wife, Myra, 73, had suffered from multiple system atrophy, a debilitating and incurable disorder that left her in severe pain. After years of suffering and a fall that left her with a broken hip, Mrs. Morris expressed her wish to travel to Switzerland to take her own life. In December 2023, she died at the Pegasos suicide clinic after taking an overdose of barbiturates.

In a statement presented to the court, Mr. Morris described his wife as his “soulmate” of nearly 50 years, explaining that he had only assisted her in her decision out of love and respect for her wishes. “Everything I did, I did because she asked me to, and because I cared for her too much to refuse,” he said.

English law treats assisting suicide as a criminal offense, with those convicted facing up to 14 years in prison. To avoid prosecution, the couple sought legal advice before traveling to Switzerland, and Mrs. Morris provided a written statement outlining her reasons for wanting to die. Upon returning to the UK, Mr. Morris reported his wife’s death to the police, who ultimately decided that it was not in the public interest to prosecute him.

High Court judge William Trower highlighted the compassionate nature of Mr. Morris’s actions in his ruling. “Philip sacrificed his own happiness to honour the heartfelt wishes of his wife. It is clear this was not because he wanted her to die, but because he loved and respected his wife too much to disregard her wishes,” Judge Trower said.

The ruling has sparked significant attention as it coincides with the introduction of a new Bill on assisted dying in Parliament. If passed, the Bill would allow terminally ill adults in the UK to legally end their lives under strict conditions. Currently, assisted suicide remains illegal in the UK, forcing those seeking it to travel abroad, as Mrs. Morris did.

The case also highlights the growing debate over assisted dying laws in the UK, with some advocating for reform to allow individuals suffering from terminal illnesses to choose a dignified end to their lives. Demonstrations and public debates have intensified in recent years, with calls for the legal system to recognize the complexities of such cases.

The Morris family, including the couple’s two children and other beneficiaries of Mrs. Morris’s estate, fully supported Mr. Morris’s appeal. They expressed their understanding that it would not be right to ignore Mrs. Morris’s will, as her decision was made with full awareness and the support of her loved ones.

The High Court’s ruling sets a precedent that may influence future cases involving assisted suicide, as the legal landscape in the UK continues to evolve. While the outcome brings some relief to Mr. Morris, it also reignites the broader conversation about whether individuals should have the legal right to die with dignity in their home country.

Sanity prevailed.