25-Year-Old Ends Life by Voluntary Euthanasia Against Family’s Wishes After Years of Mental Health Issues, Chronic Pain

NEED TO KNOW

• Noelia Castillo Ramos, 25, pursued voluntary euthanasia after experiencing severe mental health issues after a sexual assault
• In an interview before her death, she said she "can’t take the pain anymore" and wanted to "leave in peace"
• Ramos' case gained international attention after a legal battle with her father, who didn't agree with her decision and tried to prevent her death

A young woman has died by voluntary euthanasia after years of suffering with depression.

On Thursday, March 26, Noelia Castillo Ramos — a 25-year-old woman from Barcelona, Spain — ended her life by voluntary euthanasia after a year-long fight for approval in a controversial court case that gained international attention. She died alone, as requested, explaining that her family did not understand her or her decision.

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In an interview conducted just days before her death, Ramos said she had no doubts about ending her own life and she simply wanted to "leave in peace" after years of pain.

"I was very clear about it from the beginning,” she told Antena 3.

"None of my family is in favour of euthanasia. Obviously, because I'm another pillar of the family. I'm leaving, and you're staying here with all the pain,” Ramos explained. “But I think, all the pain I've suffered over the years... I just want to leave in peace now and stop suffering. And a father's, or a mother's, or a sister's happiness doesn't have to come before a daughter's happiness or sadness of a daughter's life.”

“I can’t take the pain anymore, I can’t take everything that torments me in my head from what I’ve been through,” she added.

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Over the years, Ramos suffered from depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. This led to her residing in a state-supervised facility for vulnerable youth.

While there, Ramos was raped, she told the Express US. After struggling to cope with the attack, she tried to end her own life by jumping from a fifth-floor window. Ramos survived the suicide attempt in October 2022 but was left paralyzed from the waist down and dealing with chronic pain.

Two years later, Ramos put in a request for an assisted death, which a specialized medical commission unanimously approved in July 2024.

Spain passed a law to legalize both voluntary euthanasia and assisted death in March 2021. The law, which only applies to residents of the country, allows adults with “serious and incurable” diseases that cause “unbearable suffering” to choose to end their lives. They must be able to give informed consent.

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Voluntary euthanasia involves a lethal injection administered by a doctor. Assisted death refers to a terminally ill person receiving the lethal drugs from a medical practitioner, which they administer themselves.

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Ramos was scheduled to end her life in August 2024, but the process was halted following a legal objection from her father, with support from conservative advocacy group Abogados Cristianos (Christian Lawyers).

The father argued that her mental health conditions impaired her ability to make an informed decision and pointed to "the obligation of the state to protect the lives of people, especially the most vulnerable, as is the case with a young person with mental health problems."

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But several lower courts reportedly supported Ramos’ case. In March 2025, she testified in court, pleading with the judge to let her die voluntarily.

"I want to finish with dignity once and for all," she told the court, per BBC.

In February 2026, Spain's Constitutional Court — the nation’s top court — rejected the father’s appeal, citing that there was “no violation of fundamental rights,” and Ramos was allowed access to end her life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.

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