An 83-year-old Canadian woman, Brigitte Stegemann, died on 10 July 2026 following a lethal injection under Canada’s programme for medically assisted dying, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). She lived in a long-term care facility in Belleville, Ontario.

According to her family, Stegemann had rejected MAiD because it conflicted with her Christian faith. Nor had she given final verbal confirmation before the lethal drugs were administered. They describe her as cognitively vulnerable, severely hearing-impaired and, at times, extremely drowsy.

Sitting in silent prayer with hands folded when the euthanasia team arrived

According to a public statement from the family (disturbing reading) and detailed accounts relayed by, among others, one of Canada’s most prominent critics of the MAiD programme, Kelsi Sheren, Stegemann had explicitly rejected MAiD on religious grounds two months before she was killed.

While her granddaughter Brigitte Kranendonk – who held power of attorney and had been her primary caregiver for more than 12 years – was away on a ten-day holiday, staff resumed – without informing the family – discussions about MAiD with Stegemann. During an assessment process on 6–7 July, Stegemann, according to the family, answered basic questions incorrectly, including whether she had any siblings (she was one of 14 siblings). She was nevertheless declared capable of consenting.

Canada: Avlivning av pasienter påvirker moralen innen helsevesenet

When the family made Stegemann aware that staff had concluded that she could be killed on 10 July, she cried for a long time and repeated over and over again that she had made a mistake. Her granddaughter comforted her and assured her that if she had changed her mind, she had every right to tell the medical team on Friday that she did not wish to proceed.

– Am I going to die on Friday? Are they going to kill me on Friday?

Family Says Brigitte Stegemann Asked, “They’re Going to Kill Me Friday?” Before MAID Death https://t.co/SQVkC2urxS

— Lovely Miss Lovely (@DonnaSc67994567) August 12, 2026

The family further claims that the date of death was set before the formal MAiD application had been fully completed, and that staff at the institution themselves completed and witnessed the documents. On the day of her death, Stegemann is said to have been sitting in silent prayer with her hands folded when the doctor arrived, without giving the verbal confirmation that the family say they had been promised. The procedure was nevertheless carried out.

Stegemann’s family have notified the police and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and they are demanding access to medical records, assessments and documentation.