Mother of 5 dies after drinking industrial-strength vinegar for a home abortion

Catherine Furey, 38, a mother of 5, died after drinking industrial-strength vinegar in an attempt to terminate a pregnancy at home. Photo via Manchester Evening News Syndication

A desperate mother of 5 is dead after drinking industrial-strength vinegar in an attempted home abortion.  She had learned about the tactic from researching on the Internet.

Catherine Furey, 38, from Salford, Greater Manchester, suffered a violent reaction to the liquid commonly used in chip shops and although she was rushed to the hospital, she eventually died.

Furey’s best friend and sister-in-law, Dawn Chadwick, 33, was allegedly the person that took the bottle of vinegar out of the cupboard and handed it to Furey.

Chadwick, a mother-of-four with learning difficulties, was arrested and intially charged in July 2011 with unlawfully supplying a poisonous or noxious substance with the intent to cause the miscarriage of a woman.  In January 2012 prosecutors elevated the charge to manslaughter, but after an 18-month investigation, the charges have been dropped and Chadwick has been cleared of any wrongdoing.

Furey’s family have said they do not blame Chadwick for the death on December 1, 2010 and that the manslaughter charge brought against her by authorities was a second tragedy for their family.

There are many dangerous myths about how to terminate a pregnancy on the Internet, and women should never take termination into their own hands.  Authorities warn that any woman wanting information on pregnancy termination should speak to a doctor or qualified person at a clinic that provides abortions.

Sources:  the Daily Mail, The Huffington Post, NY Daily News