Several Aussie deaths linked to ‘suicide kits’ reportedly sold around the world – as hotel chef is sued in Canada
- Australian deaths linked to ‘suicide kits’
- Canadian cool accused of selling poison
- Call Beyond Blue for support on 1300 22 4636
Authorities are investigating whether several Australians took their own lives using a ‘suicide kit’ allegedly sold by a Canadian chef.
At least 10 such packages are known to have been sent to Australia and have been linked to several deaths in the country.
Canadian hotel chef Kenneth Law, 57, has been arrested in Toronto, charged with helping two people commit suicide in Canada by selling the kits.
The kits reportedly consist of powders that are shipped in separate packets to combine as the final poison.
Canadian hotel chef Kenneth Law, 57, has been accused of selling suicide kits, including in Australia
The kits, which also contained a book on suicide, were also reported to have been sent to Britain, the United States, Italy and New Zealand.
The Australian Federal Police would not confirm whether they are officially investigating Mr Law or how many packages they believe have been sent to Australia.
Border Force told the The Sydney Morning Herald it was “aware of the attempted importation of parcels containing goods related to suicide.”
“The ABF is working with domestic and international law enforcement partners to prevent harmful materials from reaching Australia,” a spokeswoman said.
Since the elements of the final poison are not harmful until mixed, there is no law against its importation.
The main toxicant has been linked to 17 suicides in Australia between 2017 and 2018.
About 80 percent of people who deliberately ingest the substance experience what doctors describe as “unbearable” deaths, while those who survive often suffer from psychiatric illness or depression.
Canadian police believe Law sent more than 1,200 packages to more than 40 countries.
The former aerospace engineer has been linked to as many as 20 deaths, including four British citizens in their 20s and 30s and an American teenager.
The substances that Mr Law sells are in separate packages and must be combined into the poison
Mr Law has been linked to attempted or successful suicides in Canada, Britain and the US
Mr Law is accused of using different company names to send the packages through disguised websites.
He denies all allegations.
His alleged operation was revealed by a reporter working undercover for the Canadian newspaper The Times.
Mr Law allegedly told the reporter, posing as a suicidal buyer, that people said he was doing ‘God’s work’.
The company is said to have been described by Mr Law as an ‘escape route’.
Support is available through Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 and Lifeline on 13 11 14.