A Tragic Decision
Catherine Kassenoff, 54, a successful litigator, ended her life at a Swiss suicide clinic, citing years of abuse from her husband and the loss of custody of her children as driving factors. In a heart-wrenching Facebook post last year, Kassenoff announced her decision to end her life.
‘It is with a profound heartbreak, that I hope none of you ever experience, that I am writing my last post ever,’ she wrote.
‘Today, I will be ending my own life… There are simply no other options left. In the last four years of my life, I have woken up every day to a nightmare like no other.’
Catherine Kassenoff, aged 54 and battling terminal cancer, stated she could no longer bear the abuse inflicted by her husband, Allan Kassenoff.
The couple, both lawyers based in New York, endured a tumultuous four-year divorce process exacerbated by a fierce custody dispute over their children. After Allan was awarded sole custody of their three daughters, Catherine, facing terminal illness, tragically chose to end her life following the loss of her visitation rights.
Allegations and abuse claims
Kassenoff claimed her husband, Allan Kassenoff, had been abusive toward her and their children for years. This led to a bitter custody battle that ultimately granted Allan sole custody of their three daughters. Catherine, who had also been diagnosed with terminal cancer, decided to end her life after losing visitation rights.
Following her suicide, former nannies came forward with allegations that Catherine mistreated her adopted daughter by “dripping water” on her throughout the day to prevent her from sleeping. In contrast, she reportedly treated her biological daughters, conceived via IVF, much more kindly.
In addition to her Facebook post, Catherine shared extensive court documents and videos of her husband in a Dropbox link that is now defunct. Former psychiatrist Colin Brewer, in a report for the Pegasus Swiss Association, asserted that Catherine was of “sound enough mind” to make her decision. Brewer noted her calm demeanor but also her exasperation when discussing her husband.
Impact of the custody battle
The lengthy custody battle concluded with a neutral forensic evaluator determining it was in the best interest of the children for Allan to have sole custody. The fallout from this decision was amplified when TikToker Robbie Harvey shared videos of Allan’s abusive behavior, which led to public outrage and Allan’s resignation from his job.
Allan sued Harvey, claiming that the videos caused financial and emotional ruin. The lawsuit stated that Harvey’s followers bombarded Allan’s law firm with over 7,000 calls and 500 emails, accusing him of being responsible for Catherine’s suicide. The case was settled recently for an undisclosed amount.
In the wake of Catherine’s death, a GoFundMe page was established by one of her friends to raise money for her daughters. The fundraiser highlights Catherine’s dedication to her children and the financial struggles she faced. Over $7,000 has been raised so far.
A complex and heartbreaking case
This case has ignited widespread debate and brought attention to the complexities of family dynamics, custody battles, and the tragic outcomes that can ensue. Catherine’s story underscores the profound impact of domestic disputes and the desperate measures individuals may take when they feel they have no other options.