Partner Alison about the sudden death of chef Tom Van Lysebettens: “He didn’t even make it to euthanasia. He died in his own time. He even did that cleanly” | Exclusively for subscribers

For three months, in weekly HLN columns, chef Tom Van Lysebettens (35) spoke candidly about his battle against cancer. Yet his death, on November 4, came horribly unexpected. Also for himself and his family. He didn’t even make it to the hastily arranged euthanasia. Partner Alison Roels (35) now tells her story for the first time. “Seeing our sons leave the hospital room: that is an image I will never forget. My heart broke into a thousand pieces.”