ALBUQUERQUE, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- An Albuquerque couple who decided to end their lives by refusing to eat and drink have died, their family says.
Neil Rudolph told the Albuquerque Journal his parents, Armond, 93, and Dorothy, 90, did not waiver in their resolve. He said Armond died Thursday and his wife a day later.
On Jan. 6, The Village at Alameda, an assisted-living facility, called police and rescue workers asking that the couple be transferred to a hospital. Officials at the Village said the Rudolphs were trying to kill themselves.
The couple were allowed to remain there after they signed a form saying they were refusing medical care. Their family moved them to a private house the next day.
"We would like to thank the many people who supported their right to control their deaths and all those who gave them comfort and palliative care," the family said. "We plan to continue working to change laws, attitudes and policies that led to this situation."
Armond Rudolph suffered from spinal stenosis, while his wife had trouble moving. The couple, who married in 1941, had lived active lives, enjoying camping and gardening.
