The right to die first became a matter for the courts to deliberate in 1976, with the death of:

A. Nancy Beth Cruzan
B. Karen Ann Quinlan
C. Jack Kevorkian
D. Luis Kutner
E. Terry Schiavo

B. Karen Ann Quinlan

The right to die first became a matter for the courts to deliberate in 1976, with the death of Karen Ann Quinlan. The Quinlan case raised important questions in bioethics, euthanasia, and the legal rights of guardians. The case resulted in the development of formal ethics committees in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and hospices. It also called attention to the need for advance health directives. Nancy Beth Cruzan was another landmark case in the right to die movement. Dr. Kevorkian was a proponent of euthanasia, as was Luis Kutner who founded the Euthanasia society. Terry Schiavo's case occurred during 2005.