Canadian Man Admits Selling Poison Online to Help Suicides/Image@ BBC
Kenneth Law, a 60-year-old former chef, has admitted guilt to 14 counts of aiding suicides in Canada, following his sale of hazardous substances over the internet.
The plea was entered in an Ontario court on Friday as part of an agreement with prosecutors, who have since dropped more severe murder charges against him.
Kenneth is accused of dispatching approximately 1,200 packages of poison to individuals in 41 different countries, including over 100 recipients in the UK, whom he encountered through online suicide forums.
This development has sparked outrage among families in the UK, who are dismayed by the British prosecutors’ decision not to bring charges against Law.
He is believed to have sold a toxic chemical linked to the deaths of 73 individuals in the UK.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has stated that the Canadian judicial system will consider the impact on UK families during its proceedings.
David Parfett’s 22-year-old son, Thomas, is one of the victims who reportedly used the substance sold by Law.
Thomas paid around £50 ($67; C$92) for the toxic product, which led to his death in a hotel in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, in 2021.
Parfett expressed his disappointment, saying, “I had hoped Law would face charges in the UK… he truly needed to be held accountable here.”
Initially charged with 14 counts of aiding suicides and 14 counts of murder after his arrest in May 2023, Law’s apprehension followed a detailed investigation involving at least 11 law enforcement agencies and collaboration from investigators across multiple countries, including the UK, Italy, and the US.
His arrest came shortly after a Times investigation revealed that he was selling poison to vulnerable young people.
A journalist posing as a potential buyer reportedly engaged with Law, during which he allegedly provided advice on how to use his products to “best ensure death.”
Canadian authorities have indicated that Law operated several websites offering tools and substances aimed at assisting individuals in ending their lives.
Following his detention in Newmarket, Ontario, a UK coroner’s report suggested that Law had sold toxic materials to individuals in the UK who subsequently died by suicide.
British detectives initially looked into whether 88 deaths could be connected to Law’s chemical shipments.
However, in correspondence with UK families, the CPS revised this figure to indicate that 73 deaths are believed to be linked to his actions.
Law’s attorney, Matthew Gourlay, confirmed earlier that his client would plead guilty to aiding suicide as part of a deal that would see the more serious murder charges dismissed.
Under Canada’s criminal code, those convicted of aiding suicide can face up to 14 years in prison.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong