A beloved 83-year-old grandmother was euthanized in Canada despite allegedly crying, praying and telling relatives she had made a terrible mistake, according to her devastated family.
Brigitte Stegemann, affectionately known as “GG,” died July 10 through Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying program, commonly known as MAID.
But her family now claims the deeply religious grandmother never truly wanted to die — and may not have even understood what she had agreed to.
Stegemann, a devout Christian, had been diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer roughly five months earlier and had spent the previous two years living in a long-term care facility in Ontario.
Her granddaughter, Brigitte Kranendonk, who was named after her grandmother, said she held power of attorney and regularly communicated with staff about Stegemann’s medical and personal care.
According to a public statement released by the family, the possibility of MAID was first raised about two months before Stegemann’s death.
The family claims GG immediately rejected the idea.
“At that time, GG clearly stated that she did not wish to pursue it,” the statement said, adding that she believed assisted dying conflicted with her Christian faith.
But the issue allegedly did not go away.
In the weeks before her death, Stegemann became extremely weak and was often barely responsive, according to the family.
Then something happened that immediately raised alarms.
During one scheduled meeting, Stegemann suddenly appeared far more alert and cheerful than she had been in the previous days.
Her relatives said the dramatic change left them wondering why she had previously seemed so heavily sedated.
Kranendonk said she then told staff she was acting as her grandmother’s advocate.
According to the family, one nurse became visibly agitated and defensive before leaving the room.
Kranendonk said she told another administrator that the family strongly opposed MAID for Stegemann and had serious doubts about whether the elderly woman was mentally capable of making such a life-or-death decision.
The next day, a physician reportedly met with Stegemann to determine whether she had the mental capacity to consent.
What happened during that assessment left the family stunned.
When the doctor asked Stegemann how many siblings she had, she reportedly answered one.
In reality, she was one of 14 children.
Despite that response, the evaluation continued.
The physician reportedly explained the assisted-dying process to Stegemann and later emerged from the room saying she believed the grandmother was capable of making her own medical decisions.
Her family strongly disagreed.
Then came the exchange they say proved something was terribly wrong.
Kranendonk asked her grandmother whether she understood that she was going to die.
Stegemann allegedly responded with words to the effect of: “I’m going to die Friday? They’re going to kill me Friday?”
Her family says she then began sobbing.
“She wept for an extended period, repeatedly stating that she had made a mistake,” the family claimed.
Despite their objections, Stegemann’s death was scheduled for July 10.
Her relatives gathered around her for what would become their final hours together.
Before the procedure, they took GG outside for some fresh air and gave her a scoop of strawberry ice cream.
She was eventually brought back inside and connected to an IV.
Kranendonk and her husband also claim a care home administrator asked them to help hand over medical supplies during the procedure — a request they described as deeply upsetting and insensitive.
Then, according to the family, the situation became even more traumatic.
Relatives were called into the room and allegedly saw a large amount of blood covering Stegemann, her bedding and the surrounding area.
Moments later, the grandmother died.
Her family said Stegemann’s hands were tightly clasped together in what appeared to be a prayer position as she took her final breath.
The allegations have now raised disturbing questions for her relatives about how Stegemann was approved for assisted dying, whether she truly understood the decision and whether her repeated objections were properly considered.
Under Canada’s MAID system, eligible adults can receive medical assistance to end their lives after meeting legal requirements, including providing informed consent and being assessed by medical professionals.
Stegemann’s family, however, insists that what happened to GG was anything but a peaceful, voluntary decision.
For them, her final days remain a horrifying ordeal they believe should never have happened.
That facility should be closed and the medical staff involved should be tried for murder.
Canada evidently believes in assisted murder. Witnesses stated that the woman GG did not want to die.
Doctors should not make gods decisions
I sympathize with those suffering who want to end their lives early. However, no life should EVER be taken deliberately unless every single one concerned knows for a fact it is the decision of patient. If she were praying not to be killed, then those who killed her committed murder and should be tried for it. However, in the People’s Republic of Canada good and evil are usually upside down.