Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Calgary Woman Diagnosed With Cancer Killed Adult Daughter With Down Syndrome

The Canadian Press, 01 Jan, 2016 02:50 PM
    CALGARY — A Calgary woman who gave a fatal dose of drugs to her 19-year-old daughter with Down syndrome can't be charged with a crime because she has since died.
     
    Police say Jessica Hagan was killed when she was given an intentional overdose by an older woman in the family's home in September.
     
    They say that woman was also found in medical distress and taken to hospital.
     
    Christine Hagan, who was 51, died on Nov. 21 of pancreatic cancer.
     
    Daniel Hagan wrote on his Tumblr social media account a week later about the deaths.
     
    He says his mother felt that she was the only one who could take care of his sister.
     
    "So she took her life and attempted to take her own," he wrote on Nov. 30.
     
    "She then spent her final days in a hospital bed with security outside her room until she became too weak and suffered from what I would assume is complete organ failure due to not eating or drinking the entire time."
     
    The body builder and personal trainer said he wanted to publicly write about what happened so he could move on with his life.
     
    "Losing my sister, my biggest fan, supporter, and greatest inspiration is a loss I know I will never truly recover from," he wrote in another post.
     
    He did not respond to a request for comment.
     
    Brian van Vliet said his sister, Christine Hagan, was diagnosed in May with stage 4 cancer and was extremely sick.
     
    "She was a wonderful person, very happy, family-oriented, very lively."
     
    He wouldn't say why he believes she killed her daughter. He said Christine Hagan had a husband at home and their son had also lived with them up until a few months before the killing.
     
    "You just have a normal family and then this series of tragic events takes place and it's just surreal," said van Vliet.
     
    He said Jessica was home-schooled and described her as a loving child.
     
    "Jessica was sunshine. She always brightened up the room," he said. "Everybody around her was always inspired by her."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Woman Recalls Knife Threat At Trial Of Cop Accused Of Toronto Streetcar Murder

    Woman Recalls Knife Threat At Trial Of Cop Accused Of Toronto Streetcar Murder
    TORONTO — A woman who was at the back of a Toronto streetcar when a teen pulled out a knife says she thought the youth was going to kill her.

    Woman Recalls Knife Threat At Trial Of Cop Accused Of Toronto Streetcar Murder

    New Brunswick Expands 911 Service To Allow Texting For Hearing Impaired

    New Brunswick Expands 911 Service To Allow Texting For Hearing Impaired
    FREDERICTON — The New Brunswick government is expanding its 911 service to allow texting for people with hearing and speech impairments.

    New Brunswick Expands 911 Service To Allow Texting For Hearing Impaired

    Eastern Canadian Ski Resorts Wait For The White Stuff As It Piles Up Out West

    Eastern Canadian Ski Resorts Wait For The White Stuff As It Piles Up Out West
    CALGARY — A reversal of fortunes is afoot in Canada as the snow continues to pile up at western Canadian ski resorts while the grass is still on display on slopes in the east.

    Eastern Canadian Ski Resorts Wait For The White Stuff As It Piles Up Out West

    Canadians With Marijuana Convictions Call On Justin Trudeau To Offer Pardons

    Canadians With Marijuana Convictions Call On Justin Trudeau To Offer Pardons
    Never mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary.

    Canadians With Marijuana Convictions Call On Justin Trudeau To Offer Pardons

    Presses Under Pressure: Advertisers Expected To Speed March To Digital Media

    Presses Under Pressure: Advertisers Expected To Speed March To Digital Media
    Advertisers are packing up their campaigns and moving out of print media at a pace that shows no sign of slowing over the next four years, according to a new report.

    Presses Under Pressure: Advertisers Expected To Speed March To Digital Media

    Baby Girl Died: Manitoba Judge Says Northern Health Care 'Challenging'

    Baby Girl Died: Manitoba Judge Says Northern Health Care 'Challenging'
    A judge says an overloaded and outdated medical system — not uncommon in northern communities — failed a Manitoba infant girl who died two months after she was born.

    Baby Girl Died: Manitoba Judge Says Northern Health Care 'Challenging'