28-year-old woman praised for final tweet posted just hours before being euthanised
Ben Thompson
Featured Image Credit: X/@dutchlauren
Warning: Article contains subjects some users may find distressing
A 28-year-old woman who underwent euthanasia has been praised for the final tweet she posted before her death.
Lauren Hoeve passed away on 27 January after living with myalgic encephalomyelitis - also known as chronic fatigue syndrome - for many years.
The Dutch former YouTuber had been open about her journey towards euthanasia in the months leading to her passing.
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But it is her final post in particular that has gotten a big reaction online.
In the early hours of 27 January, Lauren wrote: "This will be my last tweet. Thanks for the love, everyone. I’m going to rest a bit more and be with my loved ones. Enjoy a last morbid meme from me."
Beneath the message was a meme of a kid wearing sunglasses, giving a thumbs up as a doctor inspects him.
The caption to the meme reads: "Me getting euthanized."
This will be my last tweet. Thanks for the love, everyone. I’m going to rest a bit more and be with my loved ones. Enjoy a last morbid meme from me. ❤️😎👍 pic.twitter.com/NjtkQdvEvo
— Lauren ✨ (@dutchlauren) January 27, 2024
Many of Lauren's supporters rushed to send their final parting words to her.
"Have a beautiful final hours," one tweeted.
Another wrote: "Cool exit. Goodbye, dear Lauren."
The tweet was also branded 'classically Lauren' by another well wisher, as other admirers thanked her for what she'd done for 'the community'.
Lauren's passing was formally announced in a post on her blog, written by her family.
It read: "Lauren passed away peacefully at 1.55 pm in the presence of her parents Leonie and Peter and her best friend Lau.
"We would like to thank you for your compassion and support.
"Leonie, Peter and Lau."
The euthanasia procedure was scheduled to take place between 1:30pm and 2:30pm, according to her tweets.
Lauren had applied for euthanasia in 2022 after years of living in pain with her condition.
The Dutch Euthanasia Act came into force in 2002 and details guidelines that allow physicians to perform euthanasia at the patient's request.
According to Expertisecentrum Euthanasie, 'the details of each completed euthanasia have to be reported to an independent regional review committee, to ensure that the procedure has been carried out in strict accordance with the rules'.
In Lauren's final blog post, she said goodbye to her followers: "I think it is important and a nice ending. Be yourself. Cliche but true.
"In the words of the greatest philosopher and poet of our time, Dr. Taylor Alison Swift, 'Just be yourself, there's no one better'. What has helped me a lot over the years (before and during ME) is trying to be aware of the beautiful things in life, no matter how small. Even now that I am very ill, there are still bright spots.
"They will differ per period of your life, but that's okay. On bad days it can be very nice to take a moment to think about the song of a bird, a nice dream, or a funny thought."
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677.