TORONTO, CANADA – A former chef, Kenneth Law, is facing serious charges after being accused of supplying a poisonous chemical to individuals who died by suicide. Police in Canada have charged Law with 14 counts of second-degree murder and have linked him to an alarming number of deaths. Law is also facing additional charges of aiding and counselling suicide in connection to the same Ontario deaths, for a total of 28 charges.
The investigation into Law’s activities has involved 11 police agencies in Ontario, making it a highly complex case. The new murder charges mark an escalation in the prosecution of Law, who has been the subject of a “very active and very complex” investigation. British detectives have linked Law to 90 deaths in the UK. Law’s lawyer, Matthew Gourlay, stated that his client intends to plead not guilty to the charges.
Law faces imprisonment for life if found guilty of second-degree murder under Canadian law. The investigation has revealed that Law may have sent more than 1,200 parcels containing lethal substances to around 40 countries, raising concerns about the extent of his activities. The National Crime Agency (NCA) in London is also investigating if any criminal offenses were committed in the UK.
Law’s case has drawn attention to the issue of online platforms that encourage vulnerable people to engage in harmful behaviors, prompting calls for increased measures to protect individuals. Families of the victims have expressed concerns about other sellers taking Law’s place and continuing to sell the poisonous chemical he allegedly supplied. There is also a push for action to be taken against those who run pro-suicide forums that instruct vulnerable individuals on how to end their lives.
The charged faced by Law come as a signal to others who encourage vulnerable people to engage in self-harm. The case has also sparked wider discussions on the need for increased protection measures online. If you’ve been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available.