Family sounds alarm after 83-year-old grandma dies under Canada's assisted-death program

This story discusses suicide.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255).

The family of an 83-year-old Canadian woman is demanding answers after she died through the country's medical assistance in dying program despite allegedly becoming distraught when told the procedure would end her life and showing signs of cognitive decline , according to a report.

The Daily Mail reported Sunday that an 83-year-old Christian grandmother, Brigitte Stegemann, was killed under Canada’s physician-assisted suicide program, called Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), on July 10.

Her granddaughter, Brigitte Kranendonk, said that she was her grandmother’s primary caregiver and that her family had decided to place Stegemann at The Pearl care home in Cannifton due to physical and mental decline.

But according to Kranendonk, her grandmother still had a good appetite even following a stomach cancer diagnosis, and rejected the idea of using MAiD when it was presented as an option.

NEW YORK NUNS' CHALLENGE TO ASSISTED SUICIDE LAW IS ABOUT PROTECTING FREEDOM, LAWYER SAYS Everything changed, however, in June when Kranendonk left to go on a 10-day road trip with her husband.

Kranendonk said she remained in regular contact with the care home and was told her grandmother had fallen and would need a wheelchair, but said she was not initially alerted to any dramatic decline.

Then, on July 3, near the end of her trip, Kranendonk said she received a call informing her that the home planned to arrange a MAiD assessment for Stegemann, despite her grandmother previously telling her that she did not want an assisted death.

Kranendonk said, according to The Daily Mail, that when she returned, she asked a nurse at The Pearl about who had initiated the MAiD conversation.

"The nurse became very abrasive, very defensive," Kranendonk told The Daily Mail.

"She was like, ‘Well, I’m just trying to advocate for her.

I’m just trying to do what’s right for her.’" After returning from her trip, Kranendonk said she found out her grandmother had already had her first MAID consultation.

The granddaughter also alleged that Stegemann struggled during an assessment of her mental capacity, incorrectly answering questions about members of her own family.