104-year-old Australian scientist commits assisted suicide in Switzerland

David Goodall, who had been barred from seeking help to end his life in his home country Australia, did not have a terminal illness but said his quality of life had deteriorated significantly and that he wanted to die.

A 104-year-old Australian scientist who travelled to Switzerland to end his life committed assisted suicide on Thursday, the foundation which helped him die said.

Australian scientist David Goodall attends a press conference on Wednesday, on the eve of his assisted suicide in Basel. (AFP photo)

David Goodall, who had been barred from seeking help to end his life in his home country, did not have a terminal illness but said his quality of life had deteriorated significantly and that he wanted to die.

Philipp Nitschke, director of Exit International, said Goodall was declared dead at 12:30 pm on Thursday.

The British-born scientist, described by Exit International as its first member, said this week that he had been contemplating the idea of suicide for about 20 years, but only started thinking about it for himself after his quality of life deteriorated over the last year.

He cited a lack of mobility, doctor’s restrictions and an Australian law prohibiting him from taking his own life among his complaints, but he was not ill.