A 60-year-old Canadian man who sold lethal substances online to individuals worldwide, including the UK, has pleaded guilty to charges of aiding suicide. Kenneth Law appeared in an Ontario court on Friday, formally admitting to 14 counts related to Canadian victims.
UK victims included in Canadian case
The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed that 79 UK deaths directly linked to Law's products will be considered as part of his sentencing in Canada. Authorities informed bereaved families that Law would not face separate proceedings in the UK, citing the potential challenges of extradition following his Canadian conviction.
British prosecutors described Law as a "serial offender who callously exploited many vulnerable and innocent people, exchanging their lives for his financial gain." He sold 1,200 packages to 40 countries from Canada-based websites, with 286 UK recipients and 112 deaths. The NCA and CPS stated that Law sent 330 products to the UK in total.
Families express frustration
David Parfett, father of 22-year-old philosophy student Thomas Parfett who died in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, said: "I am angry but not surprised. For months, we have been told the system is working. It is not. The very least is a proper inquiry." Adele Zeynep Walton, sister of 21-year-old Aimee Walton from Southampton who died in 2022, added: "Doors have been shut for families. Only a statutory public inquiry can answer how the British state let this happen."
The NCA's senior investigating officer Damon Hayes noted that including UK victims in the Canadian case "guarantees all victims and families in the UK will see justice" and allows the judge to consider the full extent of Law's criminal behaviour.
International investigation
Since April 2023, the NCA has worked with 45 UK police forces. Law has also been investigated by authorities in the United States, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand. Specialist CPS prosecutor Andrew Hudson assured that "no victim has been left behind" and that including British victims ensures the court sees the devastating impact of his actions.
If you are experiencing distress, contact Samaritans in confidence on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit their website. In the USA, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For other countries, visit www.befrienders.org.
