Benjamin Danielou, in a coma since a 2005 accident, died on Sunday at age 41 in a Morbihan hospital from metastatic cancer. His parents had fought for two decades to secure euthanasia to end his suffering, but were unsuccessful. The father vows to continue advocating for the right to die with dignity.
In 2005, Benjamin Danielou, a business school student near Saint-Malo, was on an internship in Thailand when a scooter accident left him in a coma. His vehicle struck a pole, leading to deep sedation before repatriation to France. For 20 years, he remained in this state until bladder cancer spread rapidly to his kidneys and liver.
On Sunday, November 23, 2025, at dawn, he passed away in a Morbihan hospital. His father, Maxime Danielou, described the ordeal as a 'terrible agony' in an interview with France 3 Regions. 'We could do nothing to shorten his suffering, nor ours,' he shared, voicing frustration over the denial of euthanasia rights, even in Belgium where it is permitted.
French authorities offered only the cessation of feeding, hydration, and sedation, which Maxime called 'dying slowly before our eyes.' 'That's legal, but it's a horrific death,' he added. The previous Saturday, oxygen was provided as Benjamin struggled to breathe, per a Facebook post from the father, who criticizes the lack of compassion.
This tragedy highlights broader debates in France. Two bills on palliative care and aid in dying passed first reading in the National Assembly in late May 2025, but Senate review was delayed to January 12, 2026, following the fall of François Bayrou's government. Maxime Danielou pledges to continue his advocacy to raise public awareness.