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Murder charge against senior physician: Incident 7
🇩🇪 Germany /Crime & Justice

Murder charge against senior physician: Incident 7

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A man identified as Hans R., 79, was found unconscious in his bathroom and hospitalized with a stomach hemorrhage.
  • His sister, Gretl T., meticulously documented his deteriorating condition, including a lung infection and a hospital-acquired germ.
  • Following his doctor's assessment that he would require ongoing care, his sister and brother-in-law decided to switch his treatment to palliative care, honoring his prior living will.

A distressing SMS message from a neighbor signaled the beginning of a critical health battle for 79-year-old Hans R.: "Hans lies lifeless in the bathroom, take care of yourselves." He was discovered on the bathroom floor and subsequently admitted to the Caritas Hospital in Kelheim, Bavaria, with a severe stomach hemorrhage.

His sister, Gretl T., began a daily log of her brother's condition, noting a series of complications. Hans developed a lung infection and contracted a hospital-acquired germ. By June 28, 2022, sixteen days after his collapse, Gretl recorded that her brother was significantly weaker and dependent on assistance following his treatment.

Hans lies lifeless in the bathroom, take care of yourselves.

— NeighborThe text message that alerted Hans R.'s sister to his critical condition.

Faced with Hans's unconscious state, Gretl and her husband had to make a profound decision: continue hoping for recovery or honor his expressed wishes. Hans R. had previously stated in a living will that he did not want further treatment if he were to end up requiring permanent care. He designated his brother-in-law to make decisions in such a scenario.

After confirming with the doctors that Hans's condition was not improving, his brother-in-law sought assurance that his therapy would be switched to palliative care, thereby respecting Hans's explicit instructions for end-of-life care.

What would Hans want?

— Gretl T.Hans R.'s sister questioning their course of action as he remained unconscious.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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