Netherlands man suspected in assisting 33 suicide deaths and selling a suicide powder to 700 people.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Ximena Knol (19) died from the
suicide powder in February 2018.

Last July the NL Times reported that a 28 year old man known as "Alex S" was charged with assisting the suicides of at least 6 people with a suicide powder.

The NL Times reported today that "Alex S" is now facing charges in at least 15 suicide deaths and possibly 33 deaths. He sold a suicide powder and an anti-nausea drug to as many as 700 people. The NL Times article reported:

Suicide powder allegedly sold by Alex S. from Eindhoven may have caused many more deaths than the six the authorities initially assumed, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) said in a hearing against S. on Wednesday. According to the OM, 15 people definitely died due to the suicide powder they bought from S. Another 18 died after buying suicide powder from him, but the exact cause of their deaths is still under investigation, NOS reports.

Euthanasia is legal in the Netherlands when approved under the law but assisting a suicide is illegal. Article 294, paragraph 2 states:

“Anyone who intentionally assists another person in suicide or provides him with the means to do so, shall, if the suicide follows, be punished with a term of imprisonment not exceeding three years or a fine of the fourth category.”

The NL Times reported that "Alex S" is also suspected of violating the Medicines Act and money laundering. The NL Times report stated:

The OM believes he sold the suicide powder to nearly 700 people between 2018 and June 2021. He also sold a drug that prevents vomiting. This drug is often used in suicides and is only available with a doctor's prescription.

Wim van Dijk, a member of the Coöperatie Laatste Wil (Final Wish Cooperative), an assisted suicide lobby group in the Netherlands, admitted in an interview that has been involved with more than 100 suicide deaths. van Dijk also admits that his actions are against the law but he doesn't care. van Dijk is suspected to be working with "Alex S."