Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide, which some readers may find distressing.
In an attempt to dissuade her 25-year-old daughter from euthanasia for the final time, Yolanda Castillo delivered a public message of heartache.
Noelia Castillo Ramos, from Barcelona, will become the first citizen of Spain to undergo medically assisted suicide later today (26 Mar), having been approved by lawmakers on the grounds of her mental health.
She'd first filed an application to legally end her life in 2024, following several suicide attempts made in the years prior.
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According to Evri Magaci, following one attempt two years prior, by which she jumped from a fifth-floor window, she was left paraplegic. Every day since, Noelia has battled ceaseless pain, which has also had a detrimental effect on her mental well-being.
Just months after her application was filed, the decision was unanimously approved by lawmakers, who had legalised voluntary euthanasia and assisted death for Spanish citizens in March 2021.
Her father's legal objection:
Noelia's father brought the proceedings to a halt in 2024 after filing a legal objection, however, claiming she battled from a personality disorder that affects her judgment and arguing 'the obligation of the state to protect the lives of people, especially the most vulnerable'. His team also claimed in court in March 2025 that Noelia had changed her mind regarding euthanasia several times.
Despite his pleas, a judge ruled in Noelia's favour, insisting they'd observed 'no evidence of a scientific or expert character has been presented to contradict the many medical reports which support the decision [to die]'.
Following the ruling, Noelia's mother also led an appeal, imploring her daughter to change her mind.
Her mother's final plea:
Reading an email from an unnamed sender, directed at Noelia, during a television broadcast earlier this week, Yolanda began: "[Translated from Spanish] I know it's last-minute, but is there any amount of money or support I can offer directly to Noelia and her family to help her postpone her decision?
"Perhaps with a very significant amount of money and support, she could start rebuilding her life little by little.
"I'm willing to offer everything within my power so she can receive the physical and psychological help she needs, no matter the cost."
The message continued: "In the meantime, tell her I have a large apartment and two cars, and I'm also willing to pay for rent in Barcelona for her and her mother, as well as psychological and psychiatric help."
As if talking to her daughter directly, Yolanda then looks at the camera before adding: "Therapists for you, Noelia. These are my final words if you're watching me, just in case. Just in case you want to.
"Honestly, to hear me - because I know you're watching me. The last thing I can do for you is help you come to terms with it.
"If you can come to terms with it, without anyone taking that euthanasia away from you - if you can come to terms with it, and you want to do it, I'm here with you. Just as I'll be there for the bad times, I'll also be there for the very good times."
Noelia's last TV interview:
Despite pleas from her family, Noelia told Televisión Pública Noticias earlier this week that she stands by her decision.
"None of my family is in favour. I am a pillar of the family," she continued. "I am leaving them suffering. But what about my suffering?"
Noelia added: "I was very clear from the beginning. I simply want to go in peace, stop suffering, and that’s it. The happiness of a father or mother should not be above the happiness of a daughter."
Spain's stance:
Spain's legalisation of voluntary euthanasia and assisted death for Spanish citizens five years ago came with an eligibility criterion.
For reference, voluntary euthanasia refers to adult patients receiving a lethal injection from their doctor. Assisted death refers to a practitioner prescribing lethal drugs to a terminally ill person, which they'll administer themselves.
The law stipulated that only adults with 'serious and incurable' conditions that inflicted 'unbearable suffering' were eligible for life-ending care.
These citizens must also be able to provide informed consent to the decision.
Topics: World News, News, Life, Real Life, True Life
Rhianna Benson