Suffolk assisted dying campaigner David Minns dies aged 75

Press release |

Terminally ill husband and father devoted final months to fighting for law change

David Minns, a terminally ill husband, father and business-owner who devoted many of his final months to fighting for a change in the law on assisted dying, has died at home in Mildenhall, Suffolk, at the age of 75 on Monday 13th February 2023. David was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer, and an associated condition called amyloidosis in 2020 as his daughter Katie was dying of sarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. Since Katie’s death in 2021, David has spoken out in the media and to parliamentarians about the urgent need for a safe, compassionate assisted dying law for the UK.

David’s family have asked for privacy at this time and are not currently available for interview.

A statement from David’s wife Sue and son Matthew reads:

“David will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, dear brother and keen sportsman who touched the lives of so many. He was devoted to caring for his daughter Katie as she died, all the while dealing with his own diagnosis. He spent the past year fighting for an assisted dying law, knowing that any change would not come in time for him. As he said when meeting his MP, ‘I know this won’t happen for me. I’m doing it for you and your family’.

“David died at home, as he wished, but his final hours, days and weeks were not what he wanted. He received excellent care and support from NHS and hospice services, but still he suffered, just 18 months after watching Katie die in terrible pain. David was not a man to suffer pain easily – he spent his life pushing himself to his absolute limit as a marathon-runner, a rower and in many other sports. But at the end of his life David was so frightened, struggling to breathe and in agony. It would have been so much kinder for him, and for us all, if he’d had the choice to die on his own terms.

“We have been traumatised by the events leading up to David’s death and are determined to continue his fight. We are more certain than ever that the law on assisted dying absolutely must change, so that other terminally ill people can be given the option David was so cruelly denied.”

Over the past year David addressed cross-party parliamentarians, met and spoke with his own MP Matt Hancock, and wrote an open letter to the Health and Social Care Select Committee, urging them to ensure that the voices of terminally ill people and their loved ones are central to the recently launched inquiry into assisted dying. David also regularly spoke to the media about his and Katie’s experiences and the need for law change, including as part of the Daily Express’ campaign Give Us Our Last Rights (which calls for parliament to follow Dignity in Dying’s blueprint for an assisted dying law for the UK) and featuring in an ITV documentary, a Channel 4 News story and a Guardian podcast.

Ellie Ball, Deputy Director of Communications at Dignity in Dying, said:

“We are deeply saddened by David’s death and extend our heartfelt condolences to Sue, Matthew and their loved ones. It has been a privilege working with David to give his powerful words a platform, shining a light on the unbearable suffering that his family and many others have endured under the current law.

“In his passionate yet gentle way, David spoke truth to power, exposing the cruelty and inequality of the UK’s ban on assisted dying and making a persuasive case for change. He knew he would not personally benefit from his own campaigning, but he has helped bring us closer than ever before to a law that gives dying people like him and Katie the choice, compassion and protection that is sorely lacking at the moment. David will be remembered fondly and we look forward to supporting his family to continue his legacy.”

Former Health Secretary, Matt Hancock said:

“I’m incredibly saddened to hear of David’s death.

“I had the pleasure of getting to know David – a constituent – through his passionate campaigning on assisted dying.

“David’s powerful testimony made me reflect on the question, ‘When death is imminent and the pain is insufferable, would I want the choice about how to die?’

“David was both brave and inspirational. He was a fighter whose spirit will live on through this campaign.

“My thoughts are with David’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

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For further information, please contact Molly Pike, Media and Campaigns Officer at Dignity in Dying, on 07929 731181 or email: molly.pike@dignityindying.org.uk.

David Minns and his son