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The daughter of novelist Jane Aiken Hodge claims an investigation into her mother's death has turned a family tragedy into a soap opera.
Mrs Hodge, who wrote historical romances, took an overdose of pills and lay in bed, alive but unconscious, for four days last month watched by her family, before she finally died.
Although she was in good health, the 91-year-old did not want to become bedbound or helpless. She left a letter to her GP asking that no attempt be made to revive her and also had a "Do not resuscitate" card.
Her daughter Jessica Hodge said her mother had been unable to discuss her plans for suicide with anyone for fear of incriminating them. Today she spoke of the "inhuman" legal position the family have endured as the CPS decides whether anyone will be prosecuted.
She and her sister Joanna, a neighbour who found Mrs Hodge unconscious at her cottage in Lewes, East Sussex, and her GP have all been interviewed by police. Sussex Police said they were not treating it as a suspicious death.
