He feared he would be too ill to travel to Switzerland (Picture: Getty Images)

A terminally ill pensioner who had made arrangements with the Dignitas euthanasia clinic in Switzerland took his own life in his home, fearing he would be too ill to travel.

Lawrence Klein was a keen marathon runner and hillwalker when he was younger, but in 2014 his balance became increasingly unstable.

After being seen by audiology specialists, the 74-year-old from Reading was referred to neurology consultants at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. They conducted MRI scans, but they were inconclusive.

As his health rapidly deteriorated, Mr Klein was told in early 2016 that the possible cause of his problems was corticobasal deterioration (CBD) – a rare and incurable illness which becomes progressively worse.




His wife Martha agreed to accompany him to a provisional appointment at Dignitas, but just a few days before they were due to travel to Switzerland he hanged himself while his wife was out shopping, an inquest heard.

The building used by Dignitas in Switzerland (Picture: Reuters)

Peter Bedford, senior coroner for Berkshire, told Mrs Klein: ‘You described how, for the three years before his death, Mr Klein’s balance became poor, he found driving exhausting, but what concerned him most was his balance.

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‘These changes in his health were significant. He had previously been very active and ran marathons and half marathons, and enjoyed hill walking.’

By the time of his diagnosis, Mr Bedford continued, ‘Your husband could no longer walk a mile without becoming tired, he could no longer read for more than a few minutes’, adding that Mr Klein had contacted Dignitas because ‘he did not want to become totally dependent on others for his care’.

In a statement read out to Reading Coroner’s Court, Mrs Klein said: ‘My husband was becoming increasingly disabled. He was worried he would not be physically able to go to Switzerland.’

He saw consultants at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford (Picture: Getty Images)

On the morning of June 10, Mr Klein had agreed that Martha should phone his sisters and let them know about his plan to end his life by euthanasia, which had until then been kept between the two of them.

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Mrs Klein went out to go shopping that afternoon – and when she returned, she found her husband dead.

He had not left a handwritten note, but he had sent ‘goodbye’ emails to family and friends.

‘He sent the emails as he could no longer write by hand,’ the coroner said.

A conclusion of suicide while suffering from corticobasal deterioration was recorded.

For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local Samaritans branch or the Samaritans website for details