Spanish woman who died through euthanasia failed by state, say critics

Noelia Castillo died on Thursday evening in a Barcelona hospital, after a protracted legal battle with her own father.

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The death by euthanasia of a 25-year-old Spanish woman after a protracted legal battle with her father has triggered debate about the role of the state in caring for her and why it took so long to implement her wish to end her life.

Noelia Castillo, who had been left paraplegic due to injuries suffered when she tried to take her own life in 2022, died on Thursday evening at a Barcelona hospital.

The Catalan regional government had granted her the right to assisted dying in 2024.

However, the process was suspended at the last moment after legal objections raised by her father, backed by campaign group Christian Lawyers.