MORE

In the News

Lawrence Egbert, the new face of assisted suicide in America

The retired anesthesiologist from Baltimore has helped about 300 people commit suicide, but, he says, “I never get used to it.”

5 Seconds

00:00

00:00

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Lawrence Egbert, 84, estimates he has been present for 100 suicides in the past 15 years, which puts him in the same league with famed assisted-suicide maverick Jack Kevorkian. Egbert calls Kevorkian a “radical” because the latter took an active role in some suicides. Egbert sees his own work as a calling and says he provides only guidance and support. But his zeal is tempered by self-doubt. “Once I am a true believer, that’s the time I should quit,” he says one afternoon. “I never get used to it. I’m not used to it now.” Egbert was acquitted in a case in Arizona, but another case looms in Georgia.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

This bag is designed to assist in a person’s suicide. Egbert says he approved applications for about 300 suicides, most as medical director of the Final Exit Network, a group that claims 3,000 members. Even within his own organization, Egbert is controversial. The vast majority of the network’s members suffer from physical ailments such as late-stage cancer, he says. But unlike the group’s current leadership, Egbert is willing, in extreme cases, he says, to serve as an “exit guide” for patients who have suffered from depression for extended periods of time. He is no longer the group’s medical director. He hopes to resume working as an exit guide after the Georgia case.

This bag is designed to assist in a person’s suicide. Egbert says he approved applications for about 300 suicides, most as medical director of the Final Exit Network, a group that claims 3,000 members. Even within his own organization, Egbert is controversial. The vast majority of the network’s members suffer from physical ailments such as late-stage cancer, he says. But unlike the group’s current leadership, Egbert is willing, in extreme cases, he says, to serve as an “exit guide” for patients who have suffered from depression for extended periods of time. He is no longer the group’s medical director. He hopes to resume working as an exit guide after the Georgia case.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

June Lennon, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, has consulted Egbert about plans for her death, and she keeps helium tanks (used to help patients commit suicide) in a closet at her home in Bayonne, N.J. Helium is easy to get. Patients are told that they can buy helium tanks at party stores.

June Lennon, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, has consulted Egbert about plans for her death, and she keeps helium tanks (used to help patients commit suicide) in a closet at her home in Bayonne, N.J. Helium is easy to get. Patients are told that they can buy helium tanks at party stores.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Egbert at a panel session during the general assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in Charlotte in June. He formerly served as a campus Unitarian Universalist minister at Johns Hopkins University, but the university has not renewed that position since his arrest. Egbert wonders whether his assisted-suicide work could nudge society toward something awful. “I could be part of a slippery slope,” he says, “to us becoming like Nazis — the Final Exit Network, and me as an individual.”

Egbert at a panel session during the general assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in Charlotte in June. He formerly served as a campus Unitarian Universalist minister at Johns Hopkins University, but the university has not renewed that position since his arrest. Egbert wonders whether his assisted-suicide work could nudge society toward something awful. “I could be part of a slippery slope,” he says, “to us becoming like Nazis — the Final Exit Network, and me as an individual.”

Travis Dove / For The Washington Post

June Lennon with a bag and tubes that are designed to assist with a person's suicide.

June Lennon with a bag and tubes that are designed to assist with a person's suicide.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Bartender Chuck Zanelli gives June Lennon a pinch on the cheek at Hendrickson's Restaurant in Bayonne, N.J. When the summer heat mixes with pollutants from the factories near her home town, Lennon says she can barely breathe. Her Internet search for “painless suicide methods” led her to the Final Exit Network and Egbert. Lennon says Egbert tried to talk her out of it but agreed when he saw her struggle to walk up a set of stairs.

Bartender Chuck Zanelli gives June Lennon a pinch on the cheek at Hendrickson's Restaurant in Bayonne, N.J. When the summer heat mixes with pollutants from the factories near her home town, Lennon says she can barely breathe. Her Internet search for “painless suicide methods” led her to the Final Exit Network and Egbert. Lennon says Egbert tried to talk her out of it but agreed when he saw her struggle to walk up a set of stairs.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

A friend who was to be present during Lennon’s suicide told Lennon she had gotten a great acting gig. “Darling,” Lennon says her friend told her. “You’re simply going to have to reschedule your death. I can’t go on with that hanging over my head.” And so Lennon canceled her own death. But she keeps the helium tanks because she figures she might use them someday.

A friend who was to be present during Lennon’s suicide told Lennon she had gotten a great acting gig. “Darling,” Lennon says her friend told her. “You’re simply going to have to reschedule your death. I can’t go on with that hanging over my head.” And so Lennon canceled her own death. But she keeps the helium tanks because she figures she might use them someday.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Egbert bikes from his home to his office in Baltimore. In 2009, he was thrown to the road when his bicycle skidded. The accident left him with a broken pelvis; doctors said surgery wouldn’t help. In pain, he considered ending his life. “There are some people who like to suffer — that there is a religious gain in suffering,” he says. “I don’t believe that.” But he began to mend, and when the end does come, Egbert figures, he’ll “go into the ground and rot.” He doesn’t believe in an after-life. “I don’t think it’s worthwhile to worry about what happens to you when you’re dead.”

Egbert bikes from his home to his office in Baltimore. In 2009, he was thrown to the road when his bicycle skidded. The accident left him with a broken pelvis; doctors said surgery wouldn’t help. In pain, he considered ending his life. “There are some people who like to suffer — that there is a religious gain in suffering,” he says. “I don’t believe that.” But he began to mend, and when the end does come, Egbert figures, he’ll “go into the ground and rot.” He doesn’t believe in an after-life. “I don’t think it’s worthwhile to worry about what happens to you when you’re dead.”

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Featured Photo Galleries

In this image released by the Miss Universe Organization, Miss Washington USA 2012, Christina Clarke; Miss West Virginia USA 2012, Andrea Rogers; and Miss Wisconsin USA 2012, Emily Guerin compete in their swimwear by Kooey Australia and fashion footwear by Chinese Laundry during the 2012 Miss USA Presentation Show on May 30, 2012 at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2012 MISS USA Pageant will air LIVE on NBC June 3 at 9:00 p.m. ET from the Theatre for Performing Arts in Las Vegas. = RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT 'AFP PHOTO / Miss Universe Organization / DARREN DECKER' - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS =DARREN DECKER/AFP/GettyImages

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more in the day in photos

Miss Universe, Beijing Aquarium, National Spelling Bee and more.

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 30: Jon Stewart attends the Sesame Street Workshop 10th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 30, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Eye on entertainment

Jon Stewart, Justin Bieber, Bruce Springsteen, Lil Wayne, Michelle Williams and other celebrities.

The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft is seen in a camera on the end of the International Space Station's Canadarm2 robotic arm as it moves away from the station in preparation for its return to earth in this image from NASA TV May 31, 2012. REUTERS/NASA TV (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

SpaceX prepares to return home

The SpaceX Dragon capsule detached from the international space station Thursday morning.

Police investigate the scene where a man who was believed to have shot and killed several people earlier in the day shot himself Wednesday, May 30, 2012, in the West Seattle neighborhood of Seattle. A gunman opened fire at a Seattle cafe earlier Wednesday, killing three people and critically wounding two others and later a man believed to be the same suspect shot and killed a woman and took her car near downtown, abandoning it less than two miles from where the alleged shooter shot himself as officers closed in on him, authorities said. His condition wasn't immediately known. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Gunman kills five, shoots himself in Seattle

A gunman killed five people in Seattle — four at a cafe and another in a carjacking.

LANDOVER, MD May 30, 2012 U.S. Men's National Team midfielder Fabian Johnson (23) hits a crossing pass to forward Herculez Gomez (9) for their 1st half goal against Brazil Men's National Team goalie Rafael (12) on May 30, 2012 in Landover, MD (Photo by Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)

Brazil too much for U.S. to handle

Herculez Gomez scores just before halftime, but Brazil runs away with a 4-1 victory.

Camels rest at a watering hole outside the town of Aleg May 25, 2012. REUTERS/Joe Penney (MAURITANIA - Tags: ANIMALS SOCIETY)

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more in animal views

Camels, tigers, turtles, a giant stag beetle and more.

Editor’s choice: Reader-submitted photos

Some of the Post’s top picks of snapshots taken and submitted by readers.

HANDOUT PHOTO: Camera men film as the Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft carrying the International Space Station (ISS) crew, U.S. astronaut Joseph Acaba and Russian cosmonauts Gennady Padalka and Sergei Revin, blasts off from it's launch pad at Baikonur cosmodrome, May 15, 2012. (Courtesy of Shamil Zhumatov/ADAY.org)

A snapshot of life

ADAY.org aimed to capture a picture of life across the globe on one day: May, 15, 2012.

Back to Previous Gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Loading...

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.