Genevieve Lhermitte, a Belgian mother who killed her five children, has been euthanized in a psychiatric hospital in Belgium, according to reports. Lhermitte was serving a life sentence for killing her children, aged between three and 14 years, in 2007. She had argued at her trial that she was mentally ill at the time of the killings.
Lhermitte’s lawyer confirmed that she had been euthanized but did not provide any further details. Euthanasia is legal in Belgium for adults who are suffering from unbearable physical or mental pain and who have made an informed choice to end their life. However, the practice remains highly controversial, and Lhermitte’s case has reignited the debate around it.
Lhermitte’s case shocked Belgium and the world when it first came to light. She killed her children one by one in their home, using a knife and scissors. She then attempted to take her own life, but was unsuccessful. She was found guilty of murder in 2008 and sentenced to life in prison.
In 2018, Lhermitte’s lawyers applied for her to be granted euthanasia, arguing that she was suffering from mental illness and that her life had become unbearable. Her request was initially rejected, but an appeals court later ruled in her favor.
Lhermitte’s case has sparked debate about the role of mental illness in cases of murder and whether or not euthanasia should be an option for those who are suffering from mental illness. Some argue that it is a humane way to end suffering, while others believe that it is wrong to take a life, regardless of the circumstances.
The euthanasia of Lhermitte has also sparked controversy in Belgium and around the world. Some argue that it sets a dangerous precedent and that it could lead to euthanasia being used as a way to deal with mental illness rather than addressing the root causes of the illness.
Regardless of one’s views on euthanasia, the case of Genevieve Lhermitte is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of mental illness and the urgent need for better mental health care and support for those who are suffering.