In July, Brigitte Stegemann, an 83-year-old Canadian woman, passed away through the country’s assisted-death program known as Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD). Her granddaughter, Brigitte Kranendonk, shared that Stegemann was unaware she was about to receive a lethal injection until informed shortly before the procedure.
Kranendonk, who cared for Stegemann, detailed how her family cut short a vacation upon learning that the long-term care home scheduled a second MAiD assessment despite Stegemann previously declining MAiD. “I received a phone call from the home about the second assessment. My Oma had already denied MAiD,” Kranendonk explained.
Stegemann was placed at The Pearl care home in Cannifton due to declining health. Despite her physical and mental challenges, Stegemann maintained a good appetite and spirits even after a stomach cancer diagnosis. She had earlier rejected MAiD when it was proposed.
“She had an opportunity to get an IV port for injectable medicine,” Kranendonk described. “It wasn’t until I explained face-to-face that it was for pain management, not the ‘death shot’, that she accepted MAiD—during my vacation.”
On July 10, Stegemann’s life ended via MAiD. Her limitations with hearing and English comprehension possibly contributed to her misunderstanding of the process. Kranendonk recalled Stegemann’s confusion and distress when asked if she understood the consequences.
Stegemann did not react to the doctor’s inquiry on the day of the procedure, according to Kranendonk. A nurse administering IV struggled, resulting in significant bleeding, which concerned Kranendonk about procedural standards. “There was blood everywhere,” she stated, noting the absence of gloves on the nurse’s hands.
Kranendonk is urging investigations by the coroner’s office, ombudsman, and long-term care action line. She seeks clarity on the roles played by the care home and the MAiD process itself in her grandmother’s case. “The home filled out the paperwork, witnessed, and got my Oma to sign off. I don’t know the conversation during the signing,” she expressed.
The Pearl care home, where Stegemann resided, lists 57 licensed beds with 86 waiting individuals. Fox News attempted to contact the care home and Belleville Police but has yet to receive a response.
Rachel del Guidice, reporting for Fox News, covers cultural intersections of politics and American society.