Beloved Chicago radio personality Judy Markey dead at 82 after assisted suicide in Switzerland
Judy Markey, the beloved co-host of the long-running Chicago radio program the “Kathy and Judy Show,” died after a voluntary assisted suicide in Switzerland.
Markey, 82, suffered from a degenerative neurological disorder, which led her to the decision to end her life on her own terms, and was reportedly kidding around until her final moments.
Before slipping away, she said she had a headache after taking a few bites of a Snickers bar.
Her husband, Tom Collinger, asked, “Do you want some Advil?” to which she replied, “I kind of want something a little stronger,” the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Markey hosted the popular call-in morning talk show on WGN-AM 720 with host Kathy O’Malley from 1989 to 2009, and picked up again in 2013 on weekends for another four years.
The duo, who were known as “The Girlfriends,” counted many male listeners among their fans.
She started her career as a syndicated columnist at the Chicago Sun-Times before pivoting to radio, where she distinguished herself, and is recognized in Northwestern Medill’s Hall of Achievement, as one of Chicago’s “One Hundred Most Influential Women” and one of the “Top One Hundred Talk Show Hosts.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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