Euthanasia for Paralysed Gang Rape Victim After Failed Suicide Attempt
Noelia Castillo, a 25-year-old woman from Barcelona, is scheduled to end her life by euthanasia today, March 26, 2026, at the Sant Pere de Ribes assisted living facility. This decision comes after she was left paralysed from a failed suicide attempt in October 2022, which followed a traumatic gang rape by her ex-boyfriend and three other men.
Legal and Family Struggles
Although the Catalan government approved her euthanasia request in July 2024, Noelia faced a two-year delay due to her father's legal efforts to halt the process. He argued in court that she suffered from mental disorders that could impair her decision-making and that her condition did not meet the legal threshold for "unbearable physical or psychological suffering." A last-minute appeal to the European Court of Human Rights failed this week, clearing the way for the procedure.
Noelia, who has been confined to a wheelchair since 2022, expressed her resolve in an interview on the Spanish Antena 3 programme Y Ahora Sonsoles. She stated, "I want to go now and stop suffering, period. None of my family is in favour of euthanasia. But what about all the pain I’ve suffered during all these years?" She emphasized that her family's happiness should not outweigh her own suffering.
Family Rift and Final Moments
The case has created a deep rift within her family. Noelia's father witnessed her fall but has since opposed her decision, while her mother, though disagreeing, pledged to stand by her daughter. Noelia remarked, "My father saw me fall and couldn’t do anything. But after everything he’s done, I don’t feel sorry for him anymore." She has invited her family to say goodbye but wishes to be alone during the euthanasia procedure.
For her final moments, Noelia plans to wear her prettiest dress and apply makeup, saying, "I want to die looking beautiful. I’ve always thought I want to die looking good. I’ll wear my prettiest dress and put on makeup; it will be something simple." The procedure is set for 5 PM UK time.
Medical and Legal Context
According to reports from El Mundo, Noelia suffered a severe spinal cord injury from her suicide attempt, leaving her unable to move from the waist down and in near-constant pain. Spain is one of the few countries where euthanasia is legal, under strict conditions requiring a "serious and incurable illness" or "chronic and disabling" condition, with the person of sound mind.
Noelia reflected on her journey, stating, "I’ve finally done it. Let’s see if I can finally rest because I can’t take this family anymore, the pain, everything that torments me from what I’ve been through. I don’t want to be an example for anyone, it’s simply my life, and that’s all." Her story highlights the complex interplay of personal trauma, legal frameworks, and family dynamics in end-of-life decisions.
