Woman's Suicide Raises Concerns Over Assisted Dying Laws

Eileen Mihich's death highlights loopholes in regulations around medically assisted suicide

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Eileen Mihich, a 31-year-old woman from Beaverton, Oregon, checked into a hotel in Portland in March 2025 and died by suicide two days later. Mihich had been suffering from mental illness for years, including bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, and had repeatedly expressed a desire to end her life. She was able to obtain lethal medication through fraudulent means, raising concerns about the safeguards in place for medically assisted dying laws.

Why it matters

Mihich's case illustrates the potential risks and unintended consequences of expanding access to medically assisted suicide, particularly for individuals with severe mental illness. Her story raises questions about whether current laws provide adequate protections and whether access to assisted dying should be extended to those suffering from psychiatric disorders.

The details

Mihich had told her family she was debilitated by mysterious abdominal pain and was interested in medically assisted death. However, an autopsy found no signs of physical illness. Mihich was able to obtain the lethal medication by posing as a California doctor and contacting a compounding pharmacy in Washington state, which filled the fraudulent prescription. Her relatives believe that if it had been more difficult for Mihich to access the drugs, she may have reconsidered her decision.

  • Mihich checked into the Hotel deLuxe in Portland on March 6, 2025.
  • Mihich was found dead in her hotel room two days later, on March 8, 2025.

The players

Eileen Mihich

A 31-year-old woman from Beaverton, Oregon, who died by suicide in a Portland hotel in 2025. Mihich had been struggling with mental illness, including bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, for years.

Sarah

Mihich's cousin, who is trying to understand the circumstances surrounding Mihich's death.

Veronica Torina

Mihich's aunt, who had provided a home for Mihich and tried to be a source of support and stability in her life.

Stephen Jones

A Hotel deLuxe employee who discovered Mihich's body in her hotel room.

Jess Kaan

A Washington-based doctor who works with people seeking end-of-life care.

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What they’re saying

“She didn't really want to die, but she felt that she was powerless to create a life worth living. She mentioned that to me on more than one occasion.”

— Veronica Torina, Mihich's aunt

“She was showing signs that she did want to live.”

— Veronica Torina, Mihich's aunt

What’s next

The police investigation into the pharmacist who supplied Mihich with the lethal medication is ongoing. Mihich's relatives are also working with advocacy groups to bring attention to the issues raised by her case and push for tighter regulations around medically assisted dying.

The takeaway

Mihich's tragic death highlights the need for greater oversight and stricter safeguards in laws allowing medically assisted suicide, particularly when it comes to individuals with severe mental illness. Her case demonstrates how easy it can be for vulnerable people to access lethal drugs, even when they may not truly want to die.