The parents of a terminally ill teenager who chose to take his own life in front of them have spoken of the heartbreak their family has endured.
Rhys Habermann, 19, died by suicide in January 2017, with his parents and younger brother Lewis at home with him in South Australia.
His grieving parents Brett and Liz said Rhys had originally wanted to be in a hotel room but they said there was ‘no way’ they would let him die alone.
Speaking to ABC in a heartbreaking interview, Brett said: “We said there’s no way in hell you’re doing that. You’ll be here with us.”
(Image: ABC)
“And he said, but you could go to jail. We said, So be it, whatever,” Liz added.
“And so, with that he taught me unconditional love, so to be there with him.”
Rhys recorded a harrowing video that was later given to police with an impassioned plea for his mum and dad to be spared the consequences of his decision.
(Image: Rhys Habermann/Facebook)
He said he believed in his right to die and said palliative care had been more painful than he could have imagined.
Rhys was diagnosed with advanced bone cancer in his final year of school, aged 17.
Despite wanting to carry on with his studies as normal after his diagnosis, Rhys’ doctor reportedly told him he needed to just concentrate on staying alive.
His dad spoke about how horrible it was to listen to him continuously vomiting after chemotherapy.
Rhys’ mum said watching his decline was “really, really hard.”
(Image: Rhys Habermann/Facebook)
Brett and Liz said Rhys had talked about his wish to end his own life if the pain became unbearable, following his terminal diagnosis.
He spent the final year and a half of his life trying to find a way to die that wouldn’t ‘ruin’ his family, his mum said.
But just hours after Rhys died, police arrived at the house and told the family to leave what they said was a crime scene.
(Image: Rhys Habermann/Facebook)
The investigation launched by detectives meant Rhys’ other siblings were tragically unable to say goodbye to him one last time.
The police investigation lasted 18 months, another ‘nightmare’ for the family, but by the time it was concluded, the family were not charged.
Now Liz has joined the campaign to introduce euthanasia laws in South Australia, the latest state to vote on a voluntary assisted dying bill, and is pushing for a change.
She says they could have avoided spending Rhy’s final months worried about what would happen.
If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operates a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively email jo@samaritans.org or visit the site to find your local branch