'Attempted mercy killing' wife in assisted suicide

Vicki Wood said the attempted murder of her husband was a mercy killing

A woman convicted of trying to kill her husband in 1998 in what she said was an attempted "mercy killing" has died in an assisted suicide in Switzerland.

Vicki Wood, 67, from Harbertonford, Devon, who had a lung disease, spoke of her intention to die with assistance from Dignitas five years ago.

The artist was sentenced to two years probation in 1999 for trying to kill her husband Tim, 69, who had dementia.

He died later that year from natural causes. Mrs Wood died on 5 March.

Legal fight

Mrs Wood took her husband out of a care home in October 1998 and attempted to end his life at their home.

She was arrested after she called the emergency services and police because she feared he had been injured when he fell to the floor.

She later admitted attempting a "mercy killing".

I met her several times and was greatly impressed by her determination and conviction Anthony Steen MP

After being given probation, Mrs Wood - with the aid of Anthony Steen, the MP for Totnes - succeeded in a legal fight to be her husband's carer as social services had begun moves to obtain guardianship rights over him.

Mr Wood had suffered from irreversible dementia since 1993 and was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in 1998.

The former teacher at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, Devon, had been a member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society.

Following the announcement of Mrs Wood's death, Mr Steen said: "I'm very sorry Mrs Wood felt it was the only option left to her.

"I met her several times and was greatly impressed by her determination and conviction.

"I visited her late husband in a nursing home when he had advanced Alzheimer's and was unable to recognise his wife or do anything for himself - it was quite heartbreaking.

"This is a very sad ending to two tragic stories."

'Immeasurable good'

Prior to Mrs Wood's death, she had agreed an obituary written by her friend, Andy Christian.

It described her as having led a "bountiful life" and being a "loving wife and an enviable godmother".

Mr Christian also wrote: "Vicki has touched and enriched the lives of so many of her friends and fellow makers.

"She leaves a gap which will only be partially filled by the works she has left behind.

"For those of us who are lucky enough to remember her bright, questioning eyes and her warm, intelligent smile she has passed on something of immeasurable good."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Switzerland on 5 March.

"We stand ready to provide consular assistance to the family if requested."