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Vermont Woman Dies After Medical Aid-in-Dying Prescription

9/4/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Janice Shapiro, 81, used Vermont’s newly legal medical aid-in-dying program to end her life.
She suffered a degenerative muscle disease and had decided she was ready to die.
Dr. Tara Shapiro mixed lethal powders with apple juice and sherbet for the dose.
Janice drank the mixture and died about 20 minutes later.

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Story summary

Janice Shapiro, 81, used Vermont’s newly legal medical aid-in-dying program to end her life.
She suffered a degenerative muscle disease and had decided she was ready to die.
Dr. Tara Shapiro mixed lethal powders with apple juice and sherbet for the dose.
Janice drank the mixture and died about 20 minutes later.