People Magazine article is "selling" couple euthanasia.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Vanessa Etienne wrote an article that "sells" couple euthanasia that was published by People Magazine on July 1, 2024 titled: Husband and Wife, 70 and 71, die together through euthanasia: there is no other solution. 

People Magazine also promoted the Brittany Maynard assisted suicide death in 2017.

This article is about a Netherlands couple from Friesland, Jan Faber (70) and Els van Leeningen, who by couple euthanasia. Here is the sales pitch:

After meeting in kindergarten, Jan Faber, 70, and his wife Els van Leeningen, 71, — from Friesland — had a lifelong partnership. The couple was married for nearly five decades. Jan worked as a sports coach while Els was a primary school teacher.

However, Jan struggled for years with back pain and even after surgery in 2003, he saw no improvements. His chronic pain ultimately left him unable to work and he often spoke about euthanasia, telling his family he didn’t want to live with his physical limitations.

In November 2022, Els was diagnosed with dementia. “This is very good,” she told BBC, pointing to her body. “But this is terrible,” she added, pointing to her head. With both of their conditions declining, Jan’s discussion of euthanasia became more of a reality. The pair ultimately opted for duo-euthanasia — to end their lives together.

The euthanasia deaths of Jan and Els is sold differently than most euthanasia deaths. Neither Jan or Els are terminally ill. These deaths are sold as part of a "love story." They met in Kindergarten and were married for nearly five decades.

Selling death as part of a love story is like death porn. Let's call it what it is - The couple did not die together, they were killed together.

Stories like this that drive acceptance of euthanasia.