She spent 20 months battling to die under a euthanasia law. On Thursday, Spain let her
She spent 20 months battling to die under a euthanasia law. On Thursday, Spain let her
Editor’s Note
This article includes discussions about suicide that may be distressing for some readers. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 to connect with the 24-hour Suicide Crisis Lifeline.
A 25-Year-Old’s Journey to Euthanasia
Noelia Castillo’s 20-month fight to end her life under Spain’s euthanasia law reached its conclusion on Thursday. At 25, the young woman’s request was finally granted, marking the end of a harrowing chapter. “I want to leave in peace already and stop suffering, period,” she stated in an interview with the Spanish news channel Antena 3, days before her death.
Roots of Suffering
Castillo’s decision stemmed from a lifetime of anguish, both mental and physical. Her family’s divorce at age 13 disrupted her early years, leading to a period in a supervised care facility. Diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, she described three instances of sexual abuse: one by an ex-partner, another in a nightclub where two men allegedly raped her, and a third in a bar involving three young men. She never disclosed these experiences.
Following the second episode, in October 2022, she attempted suicide. Though she survived, the incident left her paralyzed from the waist down, requiring a wheelchair for daily life. “Sleeping is very difficult for me, and besides that, I have back and leg pain,” Castillo explained, emphasizing that her pain extended beyond the physical. “My world was very dark … I had no goals, no objectives, nothing,” she added, highlighting the emotional toll.
The Legal Struggle
Spain legalized assisted suicide in June 2021, but for Castillo, the process was anything but simple. Her family opposed the decision, with her father leading a legal challenge backed by the conservative Christian Lawyers group. He argued that she lacked the capacity to choose her fate. “He has not respected my decision and he never will,” Castillo said, reflecting on her father’s stance.
The case moved through five judicial levels: a Barcelona court, the High Court of Justice of Catalonia, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court, and the European Court of Human Rights. Despite these hurdles, no court ruled against her. Each found she met the criteria for euthanasia, including a nonrecoverable clinical condition causing severe dependence and chronic suffering.
Final Moments
Castillo’s euthanasia took place at the Sant Pere de Ribes hospital, where she had been residing. In her last moments, she requested solitude, saying, “I don’t want anyone inside” her room. “I don’t want them to see me close my eyes,” she expressed, signaling her desire for peace. The journey, though prolonged, allowed her to reclaim control over her life’s end.
