Erika Morales, a young woman whose tragic story deeply moved thousands across Colombia and beyond, has passed away after being granted her long-awaited wish for euthanasia. Once full of dreams and vitality, Erika’s life took a devastating turn after a violent attack left her quadriplegic. Her death marks the end of a long and painful struggle — one filled with physical suffering, emotional endurance, and an unrelenting fight for her right to die with dignity.
The incident that changed Erika’s life occurred one night in Pasto, a city in the department of Nariño. While she was in the bathroom of a local bar, she was brutally attacked, an act of violence that shocked the community. Friends and acquaintances later alleged on social media that the aggressors were Glair Gómez and Leidy León, but to this day, the authorities have not officially confirmed their involvement. The uncertainty surrounding the case left Erika’s family with not only unbearable pain but also a deep sense of injustice and unanswered questions.
After the attack, which took place when Erika was just 17 years old, her life became an unending test of strength. Doctors informed her and her loved ones that she had sustained irreversible injuries to her spinal cord, leaving her completely paralyzed from the neck down. What followed were years of grueling rehabilitation attempts, countless medical treatments, and long hospital stays. Yet despite every effort, Erika remained trapped in a body that could no longer respond to her will, relying entirely on others for even the simplest daily tasks.
At just 20 years old, Erika began expressing her desire to undergo euthanasia. Through assisted communication, with the help of her family, she explained that her physical agony and emotional despair had become unbearable. Every day was filled with pain, not only from her medical condition but from the loss of independence and the haunting memory of the night that shattered her life. Her family supported her decision, understanding that it came not from hopelessness, but from an earnest longing for peace and an end to the suffering she had endured for years.
However, her request for euthanasia was initially denied by her EPS Emssanar, the health insurance provider responsible for authorizing such procedures in Colombia. This rejection added another layer of anguish to Erika’s ordeal. Despite the country’s legalization of euthanasia under strict conditions, bureaucracy and moral debate often hindered patients’ access to the right to die with dignity. For Erika, this denial felt like a cruel prolonging of her suffering, as if her pain was being dismissed by the very system meant to protect her.
It was thanks to the tireless efforts of her sister, Tatiana Morales, that Erika’s case gained national attention. Tatiana became her voice and her advocate, using social media to share Erika’s story and raise awareness about her fight. The posts went viral, reaching thousands of people who expressed outrage and sympathy in equal measure. The public pressure that followed played a crucial role in the health authorities’ eventual decision to approve the euthanasia request on February 22, 2025. It was a bittersweet victory — a recognition of Erika’s right to choose, but one that came only after years of pain.
On Saturday, March 1, 2025, Erika’s final wish was fulfilled. Surrounded by love, prayers, and the presence of her family, she peacefully departed this world. Her sister Tatiana confirmed the news later that afternoon with a heartbreaking message: “Fly high, my beautiful angel. I love you always, little sister.” Alongside her words, Tatiana shared a photo of their hands gently touching — a simple yet profound image that symbolized the inseparable bond between them and the strength that had carried them through unimaginable hardship.
In the days leading up to her death, local media reported that Erika had faced a series of medical complications that worsened her already fragile condition. Although it remains unclear whether those issues directly led to the timing of her passing, her family made it clear that Erika’s spirit had long been weary. She had endured years of surgeries, infections, and constant pain, yet her courage and will to fight for her beliefs never wavered. Her case became a rallying point for many who believed that choosing death, when life has become unbearable, should be a matter of personal dignity, not legal red tape.