The parents of 17-year-old Milou Verhoof, who was euthanized at age 17, are asking for the names of 14 psychiatrists who voiced opposition to her death to be revealed, so they can be disciplined for speaking out against Verhoof's euthanasia.

Key Takeaways:

• 14 psychiatrists sent a letter to prosecutors asking for Verhoof's euthanasia to be investigated.

• Verhoof had a history of depression and sexual abuse, and had attempted suicide numerous times.

• The Royal Dutch Medical Association (KNMG) released a statement condemning the psychiatrists.

• Verhoof's parents are now asking for the psychiatrists to be named, and for the Public Prosecution Service to open a disciplinary case against them.

The Backstory:

In 2024, the letter from the 14 psychiatrists hit the news after the KNMG severely reprimanded them for writing it.

The psychiatrists sent the letter after a 17-year-old, identified only as "Milou" at the time, was euthanized in the Netherlands. She had a history of depression, was a victim of sexual abuse, and had attempted suicide numerous times.

The psychiatrists asked prosecutors to open a criminal investigation into her death, saying it needed to be determined “to what extent those close to this vulnerable patient (…) influenced this young patient’s decision to choose euthanasia.” 

As Live Action News previously reported:

The psychiatrists questioned whether minors should be able to apply for euthanasia and whether mental suffering should be deemed incurable, and stated how they believed the “widespread promotion of euthanasia” could lead to “the unnecessary death” of other children.

In response, the psychiatrists were harshly criticized by the KNMG, which said their letter was “improper and unacceptable,” and could — perhaps most importantly — undermine the trust of citizens in “the profession” — presumably meaning doctors who commit euthanasia.

Ultimately, the mere act of questioning Milou’s euthanasia death was called “indecent and unacceptable.”

At the time, Milou's parents merely asked for an apology. "We expect that the fourteen doctors will realize after this statement from the KNMG that they have overstepped the mark and that the letter must be officially withdrawn,” they said.

Six of the psychiatrists did not hide their names, including Professor of Psychiatry Damiaan Denys. According to Denys, the reaction from KNMG was “unnecessary, unwise and late,” and that the psychiatrists' letter was meant to raise awareness to “the ease with which euthanasia is mentioned for young people with mental problems.”

The Public Prosecution Service ruled that Milou's death had been legal, and that no laws had been broken in her euthanasia.

The Details:

Milou has now been identified at Milou Verhoof, and her parents are calling for the psychiatrists to be named, and for prosecutors to open a case against them.

Mireille and Louis Verhoof said the letter "severely harmed" them, and want disciplinary action taken. But in order for that to happen, the psychiatrists must be named, and eight remain anonymous.

"These psychiatrists never treated Milou, never saw her," Mireille previously told de Volkskrant. "They didn't know her file, but they portrayed us to the justice system as parents who drove their child to their death. We still suffer from that. Day and night."

So far, the Public Prosecution Service has refused to give the names. "The Public Prosecution Service has assessed that in this case there is no legal possibility to provide the names of the signatories," the group said in a statement.

Richard Korver, who represents the Verhoofs, regardless still claims what the psychiatrists did is illegal:

Otherwise, it would amount to the Public Prosecution Service shielding people who may have acted unlawfully towards the surviving relatives. My clients must be able to seek redress from those who did this.

If you want to remain anonymous, you call Crime Stoppers. We are talking about doctors and professors who write a letter under their own names and, because of that good reputation, gain access to the top of the Public Prosecution Service. Then you cannot remain shrouded in mystery regarding your identity afterwards.

Proceedings on the case will take place on August 18.

The Bottom Line:

It is deeply disturbing to know that in the Netherlands, asking for a euthanasia death to be investigated can be considered indecent and grounds for prosecution.