I remember reading about a woman that made that choice.
I read that she changed her mind and asked for water and food a couple of days later. Doctors said she was just demented because of the lack of water and that was not really her wish.
The last thing she ever said was, "water!". It took her 2 weeks to die.
Oh man how awful! Sorry, but if someone is begging for water give them water!! I think some may think it is a peaceful way to die, but I'd love for them to try it out, it is not so peaceful!
Not the same case you were thinking of but...
A year ago last January, 83-year-old Marjorie Nighbert suffered a stroke. She was left with severe physical disability, including difficulty swallowing, not uncommon in stroke victims. A feeding tube was inserted so that she could receive nourishment.
In 1992 Marjorie had designated that her brother be given power of attorney for health care for her. He directed that the tube feeding be discontinued. The tube was removed.
Marjorie, of course, became hungry. She repeatedly asked those caring for her in the nursing home for food. But the order was clear, and legal. Marjorie was to be starved to death. She would have died unnoticed behind closed doors had it not been for the conscience of one staff member who saw Marjorie touch a nurse’s arm and ask for food. He told a priest, who contacted the local chapter of Right to Life, who reported Marjorie’s situation to Florida’s Health and Rehabilitation Services. The case went to court. Ultimately the judge ruled that Marjorie not be fed on the basis of her not being competent to ask for food. The employee who reported the incident was fired. Marjorie died on April 6, 1995.
http://www.pregnantpause.org/euth/target.htm