28-Year-Old Dutch Woman's ‘Last Morbid Meme’ Posted Hours Before Being Euthanised Is Trending

Adding a little bit of humour can make every situation better. This is exactly what Lauren Hoeve did hours before she passed away by assisted suicide in the Netherlands. The 28-year-old decided to choose euthanasia after she spent the last few years struggling with severe ME (myalgic ­encephalomyelitis), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Lauren died on January 27, 2024, in the presence of her close family and best friend. Over the last year, Lauren raised awareness about the severity of myalgic ­encephalomyelitis and also destigmatized euthanasia. She was diagnosed with ME/CFS in 2019.

As per the National Health Service service, those who have severe ME, are fully dependent on their carers as they struggle with simple tasks like walking or eating. They also become very sensitive to light and sound. ME/CFS is a lifelong disease and it affects women more than men. The exact cause of ME/CFS is unclear.

Around 3.43 pm on January 27, Lauren shared a meme and wrote, “This will be my last tweet. Thanks for the love, everyone. I’m going to rest a bit more and be with my loved ones. Enjoy the last morbid meme from me.”

Commenting on it, an X user wrote, “I want to thank Lauren for her bravery in telling her medical euthanasia and ME/CFS story publicly so others can learn about the suffering that people with these conditions experience. Sending love to all who knew her.” Another commented, “The only reason this woman died is that we failed to recognise Myalgic Encephalomyelitis as the disease it is and fund it appropriately. The average physician out there thinks that chronic fatigue syndrome is another term for laziness.”

A post shared by Lauren (@iamlaurenhannah)

In 2023, Lauren spoke to RTL Nieuws about the severity of her medical condition and said, “The exhaustion I feel is not comparable to what healthy people feel when they are tired. It doesn’t go away after just sleeping or resting. It’s sometimes so intense that I can’t even lift my arm to drink water.”

Talking about her decision to choose euthanasia, she said, “My ME is progressive. I know there are patients who have it even worse, who live in the dark, who are constantly alone with their own thoughts. I don’t want that for myself. I find it unbearable enough already. Choosing euthanasia feels like the kindest thing I could do for myself. I give myself that peace.”