American woman extradited after pleading guilty to assisted suicide in Alberta.

By Alex Schadenberg, Executive Director - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Linda McNall (53), an American woman who pled guilty in the assisted suicide death of her mother, Shirley Vann, has been released from jail and is being extradited to Arizona in the United States.

Judge Charles Gardner decided, in the Alberta court that McNall needed medical treatment not jail time. He stated:

“I take some comfort that your condition is improving,” 

“I hope you will receive some ongoing treatment and comfort ... and that you eventually find worth and value in your life.”

Canadian border security will be handing McNall over to an American crisis management team in Arizona today.

A CBC news article reported that:

During the 1990s, McNall contracted Hepatitis C on the job as a nurse, which resulted in social security disability. She has arthritis, is diabetic and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. 

Her mother also suffered from various health issues, and had intestine removed to battle colon cancer. 

While an autopsy didn’t find active cancer, McNall said her mother was in constant pain and had talked of suicide for about a year. After failed attempts to talk her mother out of it, McNall said she came to believe there was no alternative. 

They sold all their belongings in Arizona, wrote letters to creditors, and drove to Canada. 

“We ended up in Canada because we thought it was the most beautiful place on earth,” McNall told CBC. “We came up here for about three weeks’ vacation … Both of us happy; neither one of us with second thoughts.” 

Now she’s trying to assure those around her that she’s determined to move ahead with her life. 

“I’m going to do everything I can. I want to try real hard to make my mom proud.”

I hope that Linda McNall finds the medical help that she needs in Arizona. This case was about a person who needs professional help.

Links to other articles on this story.
● Woman pleads guilty to assisted suicide in Alberta.
● Assisted suicide charge in Hinton Alberta.