Dr. Death or Jack the dripper or Jack Kevorkian has die at 83 years old on Hot Topics --- Dr. Death or Jack the dripper or Jack Kevorkian has die at 83 years old. Jack Kevorkian who assisted in more than 130 suicides died at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak last night.
Jack Kevorkian has big problem in his heart and had been hospitalized for about two weeks at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.
Today, partially as a result of his efforts, Oregon, Washington and Montana allow terminally ill patients to ask a doctor for a lethal amount of medication after a medical and psychological evaluation, but they have rejected Kevorkian's call for "death on demand."
Those who have pushed for more liberal laws and legislation in other states say there is no single advocate with the same riveting rhetoric who could have the same impact as Kevorkian.
"His shoes will be extremely hard to fill," said Philip Nitschke, founder and director of Exit International, which leads the worldwide right-to-die movement. "He moved the debate forward in ways the rest of us can only imagine.
"He started at a time when it was hardly talked about and got people thinking about the issue," said Nitschke. "He paid one hell of a price, and that is one of the hallmarks of true heroism."
That price was a murder conviction in 1999. Kevorkian served eight years in prison, but was released early on parole on the condition he would not kill again.
Kevorkian never married and had no children, but his niece, Ava Janus, was with him when died.
"He brought to the fore the idea of personal autonomy," said Nicol. "You have the right to choose how you did, regardless of the law."
Jack Kevorkian has big problem in his heart and had been hospitalized for about two weeks at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.
Today, partially as a result of his efforts, Oregon, Washington and Montana allow terminally ill patients to ask a doctor for a lethal amount of medication after a medical and psychological evaluation, but they have rejected Kevorkian's call for "death on demand."
Those who have pushed for more liberal laws and legislation in other states say there is no single advocate with the same riveting rhetoric who could have the same impact as Kevorkian.
"His shoes will be extremely hard to fill," said Philip Nitschke, founder and director of Exit International, which leads the worldwide right-to-die movement. "He moved the debate forward in ways the rest of us can only imagine.
"He started at a time when it was hardly talked about and got people thinking about the issue," said Nitschke. "He paid one hell of a price, and that is one of the hallmarks of true heroism."
That price was a murder conviction in 1999. Kevorkian served eight years in prison, but was released early on parole on the condition he would not kill again.
Kevorkian never married and had no children, but his niece, Ava Janus, was with him when died.
"He brought to the fore the idea of personal autonomy," said Nicol. "You have the right to choose how you did, regardless of the law."
