Brigitte Stegemann, an 83-year-old Christian woman, died during a medically assisted death procedure in Canada after her granddaughter says she had previously told the family she did not want MAiD – and later became distressed after learning she was scheduled to undergo the procedure.
Brigitte Stegemann, a German-born Christian known to her family as “GG” or “Oma,” died at The Pearl care home in Cannifton on July 10.
Her granddaughter, Brigitte Kranendonk, had cared for Stegemann for 12 years and served as her medical power of attorney for six. Kranendonk now alleges that her grandmother never clearly consented to the procedure on the morning of her death.
The care home and medical practitioners involved have not made public statements about the allegations, but they have maintained that Stegemann legally consented to MAiD.
This incident is currently open and under investigation with our Criminal Investigations Division. We are unable to provide any additional information at this time,” a spokesman said, according to VT.
Her family says she had previously rejected MAiD
Stegemann was moved into The Pearl roughly a year and a half before her death as her physical and cognitive health deteriorated. In February, she was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer. Doctors were uncertain about her prognosis, estimating that she could have around six months to live or potentially as long as two years.
According to Kranendonk, the family had discussed different end-of-life options with Stegemann, including medical assistance in dying.
But Kranendonk says her grandmother had been clear about her wishes.
“No, I don’t want that,” Stegemann reportedly told her.
Her Christian faith was also an important part of her opposition to assisted dying, according to her granddaughter.
That changed while Kranendonk and her husband were away on a 10-day road trip.
On July 3, Kranendonk got a call informing her that the care home planned to arrange a MAiD assessment because Stegemann’s condition had worsened.
By the time Kranendonk returned, her grandmother had already undergone an initial consultation.
“No one called me,” she said.
Granddaughter questioned the assessment
Kranendonk attended Stegemann’s second assessment and said she became concerned.
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