The man from Sisak, near the capital Zagreb, gave his 23-year old daughter, bed-ridden for more than three years, a “large quantity” of unspecified pills and cut one of her wrists early Monday, the state news agency Hina reported, quoting the police.

He then tried to commit suicide himself and was later hospitalised. His condition was described as serious, the agency said.

Neighbours called the police and emergency services but the daughter died as she was brought into the hospital.

Local media reported that the young woman became “totally paralysed” three years ago after undergoing brain surgery aimed at curing painful headaches.

Before the surgery, she was a model, neighbours told the daily Jutarnji list.

Assisted suicide is treated as second-degree murder in Croatia and is punishable to up to eight years in prison.

New criminal law, which will come into force in January 2013, six months before Croatia is to join the European Union, also bans euthanasia, but foresees shorter sentences of up to three years in prison.