Spanish woman (25) who became paralyzed after a suicide attempt is killed by euthanasia.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

I am saddened by the euthanasia death of Noelia Castillo (25) who was killed by euthanasia today (March 27). Several reporters stated that organ donation followed her death.

Castillo was approved for euthanasia in July 2024 based on partial paraplegia that was caused by her suicide attempt in October 2022. Castillo stated that her suicide attempt was related to being sexually assaulted.

Castillo was also diagnosed with significant psychiatric issues. Christian Caraballo reported for Euronews that:

Psychiatric reports indicate that the young woman has chronic depressive symptoms and an adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression, but rule out a major depressive disorder that would impair her decision-making capacity. She has also been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and borderline personality disorder.

The father of Noelia Castillo challenged the euthanasia approval all the way up to the European Court of Human Rights.

Noelia Castillo was originally scheduled to be killed by euthanasia on August 2 but a judge suspended the death until a higher court could hear the case after her father challenged her approval for euthanasia.

On August 8, 2024, I reported that the father of a 23 year-old Spanish woman, (Noelia Castillo) challenged in court the approval of euthanasia for his daughter. The father argued in court that his daughter, who was living with partial paralysis, lacked the capacity to decide to be killed by euthanasia. Castillo became paralyzed after a suicide attempt.

On March 17, 2025 I reported that a Spanish court rejected an appeal by the father of Castillo his 24-year-old paraplegic daughter, who had been approved to be killed by euthanasia. An article published by Agence France-Presse reported that:

The father argued that his daughter suffered from mental disorders that "could affect her ability to make a free and conscious decision" as required by law.

He also said there were indications his daughter had changed her mind and that her ailment did not entail "unbearable physical or psychological suffering".

The article reported that the court decision decided that the woman met the conditions for euthanasia, which was legalised in the European country in 2021.

Laia Galiá reported for the Spanish ARA news on April 3, 2025 that a second challenge to a euthanasia approval would be heard by a Spanish Court. Galiá reported that the first decision was appealed by the Prosecutor's Office and Castillo's father. The case was referred to the High Court of Justice (TSJC)

On February 20, 2026 Reuters reported that Noelia Castillo who become disabled after an attempted suicide has been once again approved to be killed by euthanasia after Spain's Constitutional Court rejected the appeal by Castillo's father.

The case was then referred to the European Court of Human Rights who rejected the appeal on March 10, 2026.

The human rights of people with disabilities are on the line. People with disabilities who are living with suicidal ideation can be killed by lethal poison based on being disabled. 

Castillo needed time and encouragement to accept the value of living with a disability.

A study published by Nature.com found that:

Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury SCI are at risk of attempting suicide; this risk is increased by the presence of a psychiatric diagnosis. There is a crucial need for risk assessment and psychological intervention for individuals with mental health issues following SCI.The Spanish euthanasia law is similar to the Canadian euthanasia law since it only requires that a person has "a serious chronic and disabling illness."

Euthanasia is not a treatment for people experiencing suicidal ideation, but rather supportive and life-affirming programs. Euthanasia was not a form of freedom for Noelia Castillo but was and abandoned to death.

The Spanish euthanasia law is similar to Canada's law which allows people with mental illness to be killed, if they have another health condition. People with disabilities who are live with mental illness are not protected from euthanasia, even when they have suicidal ideation.