Police forces around the world are investigating Canadian chef Kenneth Law, who has been linked to as many as 20 deaths worldwide after he admitted to selling poison to suicidal people.
They believe Law, 57, sent 1,200 packages to more than 40 countries through a disguised website, accusing him of complicity in the suicide of two people in Canada on May 2.
Investigators in the US, Canada, UK, Italy and New Zealand are now investigating more suicides linked to Law’s operation after he told an undercover reporter for The Times “much, much, much, much‘ had died in a period of two years.
Canadian police have since shared a list of Law’s UK clients with the UK’s National Crime Agency, where Law has been linked to up to 13 deaths.
The FBI has also begun contacting law enforcement about Law’s clients in the US.
Kenneth Law leaves the post office in the city of Mississauga in Ontario, Canada. International police are now investigating a string of suicides around the world for links to him
Kenneth Law will appear in court in Brampton, Ontario, Wednesday, May 3, 2023, in an artist’s sketch
Law, of Mississauga, Ontario, was arrested and charged on May 2 before appearing in court on May 3.
He allegedly gave instructions on how to use the poison to an undercover reporter posing as a potential client.
The Times reported that Law also claimed he had sent the content to ‘hundreds‘.
He allegedly boasted that some buyers had told him he was doing “God’s work.”
Law told the reporter that he started selling the poison after seeing his mother suffer a stroke.
“We have not progressed far enough as a civilization to openly accept death. I hope I’m just a little bit more enlightened,” he said.
Anthony Jones, a 17-year-old from Michigan, was one of Law’s alleged victims.
“It was 3 a.m. and he ran into his mother’s room, screaming and begging to call emergency services,” New York attorney Carrie Goldberg told CTV News Toronto.
He ran to his mother and yelled “I want to live” after ingesting the substance, which eventually killed him, according to research by The Times.
In Britain, Tom Parfett, Michael Dunham, 38, Neha Raju, 23, and a 21-year-old student all died after buying products from Law’s company.
Tom Parfett, from Berkshire in England, committed suicide at the age of 22 after purchasing Law’s substance.
His father, David, said Law “effectively gave a loaded gun to my son.”
He told The Times: “I believe my son would still be alive if it weren’t for this man and this substance.”
In the UK, retailers are required by law to alert authorities if they believe the substance may have been purchased to cause harm.
Assisted suicide is also illegal in the UK and Canada, both of which carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
Law was arrested by Toronto police on May 2 and was subsequently charged with two counts of counseling or assisted suicide before appearing in court.
Law’s websites have since been taken offline by the domain owners.
17-year-old Anthony Jones Westland of Michigan, an American who ran to his mother and yelled “I want to live” after ingesting the substance that eventually killed him
Michael Dunham of London, UK, died after buying products from Law’s company
Tom Parfett, from Maidenhead, Berkshire in the UK, died aged 22 after buying the fabric
Neha Raju, from Surrey, UK, who died after buying products from Law’s company
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
In the UK, the Samaritans helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, whatever you’re going through.
It’s free to call them on 116 123 and you don’t have to be suicidal to call them.