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Kevorkian archive opens as physician-assisted deaths rise

In a photo from Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, in Detroit, Carol Poenisch holds a photo of her mother, Merian Frederick, who died with Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s assistance. Poenisch was among the first to visit the new archive at Kevorkian’s alma mater, The University of Michigan. The archive, donated by Ava Janus, Kevorkian's niece and sole heir, is stored in one of nine boxes in the stacks of the Bentley Historical Library in Ann Arbor and is available for the first time as legislation supporting physician-assisted deaths makes gains in the U.S. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
In a photo from Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, in Detroit, Carol Poenisch holds a photo of her mother, Merian Frederick, who died with Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s assistance. Poenisch was among the first to visit the new archive at Kevorkian’s alma mater, The University of Michigan. The archive, donated by Ava Janus, Kevorkian's niece and sole heir, is stored in one of nine boxes in the stacks of the Bentley Historical Library in Ann Arbor and is available for the first time as legislation supporting physician-assisted deaths makes gains in the U.S. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) In a photo from Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, in Detroit, Carol Poenisch holds a photo of her mother, Merian Frederick, who died with Dr. Jack Kevorkian’s assistance. Poenisch was among the first to visit the new archive at Kevorkian’s alma mater, The University of Michigan. The archive, donated by Ava Janus, Kevorkian's niece and sole heir, is stored in one of nine boxes in the stacks of the Bentley Historical Library in Ann Arbor and is available for the first time as legislation supporting physician-assisted deaths makes gains in the U.S. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

By Associated Press 1 min read

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – The personal and professional archive of Dr. Jack Kevorkian has been made public just as legislation supporting physician-assisted deaths makes gains in the U.S.

The digitized archive comprises nine boxes at the University of Michigan. The manuscripts, medical histories, photos, video and audio offer a varied glimpse into the life of a man who helped end about 130 ailing people’s lives – and sparked a national right-to-die debate.

In October, California became the fifth state to legalize physician-assisted deaths. Proponents say they are optimistic about possible successes elsewhere.

Kevorkian’s supporters say the outspoken and unapologetic Detroit-area doctor, who was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 and died at 83 in 2011, remains at the center of the movement. Others disagree, saying he was primarily interested in gaining attention.