Euthanasia advocate ends own life after trial

After being put through the wringer by Australia's legal system, a prominent euthanasia advocate has taken her own life.

Caren Jenning has been convicted of assisting in the death of Alzheimer's sufferer Graeme Wylie earlier this year.

She and Mr Wylie's defacto wife Shirley Justins were convicted over the death and were due to be sentenced later this year.

Euthanasia advocate and Exit International founder Philip Nitschke announced that Ms Jenning had taken her own life last night.

Dr Nitschke said that Ms Jenning had taken a lethal dose of the prohibited veterinary drug Nembutal.

The 75-year-old Ms Jenning had been suffering from breast cancer at the time of her death.

"It was not an unexpected development given the treatment and persecution she received at the hands of the legal system in the past few years,'' Dr Nitschke said.

"She's left a statement, quite detailed statement, and was her wish that it will be released on Monday."

She was alone at the time of her death.

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