Brain-dead Pregnant Woman Taken Off Life Support

Marlise Munoz, the brain-dead woman who sparked conversations about end-of-life decisions across the country, was reportedly taken off life support Sunday after the Texas hospital where she was staying complied with a judge's order.

Munoz was declared brain-dead in November, but was kept on life support because she was pregnant. According to The Associated Press, the fetus, which had just reached 23 weeks gestation, was not delivered despite calls by a crowd of anti-abortion activists, who rallied Friday at the court hearing.

Both sides of the case agreed the fetus was not viable, The Dallas Morning News reported, adding that District Judge R.H. Wallace pointed out the mother would have had the option of an abortion had she been capable of making the decision.

The husband, Erick Munoz, sued the hospital when it refused to remove life support, saying he and his wife - both paramedics - had agreed to "do not resuscitate" orders, although neither of them ever signed anything.

The hospital denied the request, citing a Texas Health and Safety Code rule, which states: "A person may not withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatment under this subchapter from a pregnant patient."

Erick Munoz found his wife unconscious in their home around 2 a.m. Nov. 26. According to WFAA, he immediately began performing CPR before calling 911. She is believed to have likely suffered from a pulmonary embolism.

"You just never think it's going to be you," Erick told the news outlet, adding that he "knew what her wishes were" when it came to life support.

"It's hard to reach the point where you wish your wife's body would stop," he said.

The hospital has since said that it will not challenge the judge's order.

"May Marlise Munoz finally rest in peace and her family find the strength to complete what has been an unbearably long and arduous journey," Erick Munoz's attorneys wrote in a statement.