Tracy Hickman: Tributes paid to terminally-ill British woman who chose assisted death on New Zealand beach
A terminally-ill British woman who chose to end her life by assisted dying on a secluded New Zealand beach surrounded by close family and friends has been remembered for her “selflessness, intellect, and pragmatism”.
Tracy Hickman, 57, who was treated for breast cancer in 2019 only for it to return and aggressively spread last year, had urged the UK to change its laws on euthanasia before she passed away on Wednesday.
Having been given only two to three months to live, the Auckland-based marathon enthusiast was eligible for assisted dying under New Zealand’s End of Life Choice Act, which was introduced following strong backing in a public referendum.
Tracy Hickman with her partner Paul. Pic: Tracy Hickman/Facebook
An obituary posted on the website of the company where she had worked said: “Tracy died as she lived – on her own terms.”
It added: “In her words, it was to be a fast and gentle end to a life in which she’d always had her pedal to the floor.”
It also described her as an “adored colleague, a philanthropist, a respected business adviser, avid lover of chocolate, and so much more”.
‘An inspiration’
One of the many tributes posted about her said: “Thank you for being such an example and inspiration to us all on how to get the best out of life.”
Another person wrote: “Tracy, you have made a positive lasting impact on me and so many others with your selflessness, intellect, and pragmatism always shining through…”
Travelling the world, Ms Hickman competed in more than 30 marathons and eight ultra-marathons on all seven continents, from the Mongolian mountains and the Sahara Desert to Antarctica.
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Even following the return of the cancer she achieved the personal goal of completing the Boston Marathon.
‘It has given me so much comfort and peacefulness’
Just weeks before her death, Ms Hickman said: “It has given me so much comfort and peacefulness since I made the decision.
“I would dearly like others to be able to continue to benefit in the same way.
“Also I am hoping that the upcoming publicity will help others in a similar situation to start conversations with their friends and family, and as a resource on how to deal with the difficult situation in which we find ourselves.”
Even after her cancer returned, Ms Hickman ran the Boston Marathon. Pic: Tracy Hickman/Facebook
Euthanasia has been legal in New Zealand since November 2021.
To be eligible for assisted dying, a person must be aged over 18 and must be experiencing unbearable suffering from a terminal illness that is likely to end their life within six months.
‘People should have the right to a peaceful, gentle death’
Ms Hickman had called on Britain to follow suit, telling the Guardian earlier this month: “Look at what New Zealand has done, and do it even better.
“There is a lot of focus on the right to life, but people should have the right to a peaceful, gentle death.”
Dame Esther Rantzen and Dame Prue Leith are among the high-profile advocates for assisted dying, while actress and disability rights campaigner Liz Carr and gold-medallist paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson have spoken out in opposition.
Assisted dying is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with those convicted facing up to 14 years in jail.
In Scotland, it is not a specific criminal offence, but assisting the death of someone can leave a person open to murder or other charges.
Earlier this week, Jersey’s parliament voted in favour of drawing up laws to establish an assisted dying service on the island for terminally ill people.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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