Wife Shoots Husband Who Asked to Be Killed Due to Incurable Disease

In Hospital Room, 76-Year-Old Wife Shoots 77-Year-Old Husband
Likely to Face First-Degree Murder Charges for Intentional Killing

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jung] An incident occurred where a wife shot and killed her 77-year-old husband, who was suffering from an incurable disease, after being unable to refuse his final request.

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 21st (local time), at around 11:30 a.m., Ellen Gillund (76) shot and killed her husband Jerry Gillund (77) in a hospital room at Advent Health in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is reported that Jerry had asked Ellen about three weeks prior to the incident, "If my health deteriorates, please kill me."

Ellen Gillund (76), who killed her husband after being asked by him due to his incurable disease. Photo by Yonhap News

Jerry was suffering from an incurable disease, but the exact illness and the length of his hospitalization have not been disclosed. At the time of the incident, only Ellen and Jerry were in the hospital room. It has not yet been revealed how Ellen was able to bring a gun into the hospital.

When the police arrived at the scene, Ellen remained in Jerry’s hospital room and refused to put down the gun, resisting the officers. After about an hour-long standoff, the police subdued Ellen. Fortunately, there were no casualties among hospital staff or other patients. Ellen was subsequently detained at the Volusia County Jail.

The Daytona Beach police stated, "Initially, Jerry tried to take his own life but lacked the strength, so he entrusted this task to his wife." They also added, "Ellen attempted to take her own life after killing her husband but ultimately did not."

At a press conference that day, Zachary Young, chief of the Daytona Beach Police Department, said, "This tragic incident shows that no one is free from life’s trials and hardships," and added, "Ellen is deeply distressed." He further explained, "Ellen had been in a state of depression for a long time due to Jerry’s incurable disease and the approaching end of his life." It is reported that Ellen may face first-degree murder charges for intentionally and premeditatedly causing a person’s death.

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