Global ‘suicide drug’ dealer admits to aiding nearly 80 UK deaths

A Canadian man has admitted to assisting 79 UK suicides by selling lethal drugs online.

Operating through suicide forums, Kenneth Law sent approximately 1,200 packages to individuals in 40 countries. Around a quarter of the deliveries were bound for the UK.

The 60-year-old has only pleaded guilty to 14 Canadian cases because he will not be extradited to Great Britain, but his sentence is set to reflect the global effect of his actions.

‘Preventable’

Thomas Parfett, who was a 22-year-old student at the University of St Andrews, died in 2021 after buying a lethal substance from Law for just £50.

His father David reflected: “Tom was somebody who really saw the joy in life. He would find humour in the weirdest places. I often think about his laugh”.

David called for stronger internet regulations, urging the Government to hold a public inquiry in order to “understand this issue and stop other people unfortunately suffering the loss of a family member due to a very preventable suicide”.

“The toll here is astonishing – multiple deaths including of children – and yet we don’t see any coordinated attempt to really understand it.”

Loved ones

In a statement, the Home Office conveyed its thoughts to the “families and friends of those who lost a loved one in this case”.

“We are working closely with law enforcement partners to identify and intercept harmful substances entering the UK.”

Earlier this year, Miles Cross from Wrexham was given the maximum possible sentence after selling a chemical substance to four people, two of whom died as a result of his actions.

Assisting or encouraging a suicide is illegal in England and Wales under the 1961 Suicide Act and punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment.