Canadian man pleads guilty to aiding suicide in 14 deaths.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Some of Kenneth Law's victims.

Kenneth Law, a Canadian who sold suicide poison kits online to as many as 1200 people world-wide, pled guilty to 14 charges of aiding and abetting suicide in a New Market court (today), May 29, 2026..

Jon Woodward and Codi Wilson reported for CTV News that:

Law was arrested in 2023 in connection with 14 deaths in Ontario after he was accused of aiding and abetting those suicides by supplying the victims with ... which is typically used to preserve meat but is deadly when consumed in high concentrations.

At the time of his arrest, police said Law sent more than 1,200 packages to 41 countries, selling the deadly chemical and other items that can be used for self-harm through multiple websites.

The youngest victim in Ontario was just 16 years old.

Based on a plea agreement, the Crown Prosecutor dropped the 14 counts of murder for an agreement where Law pled guilty to aiding the suicide of his victims, a charge that would likely result in a 14 year sentence.

Woodward and Wilson reported that: prosecutors said the victims in England and Wales will be included as “part of Mr. Law’s sentencing in Canada.”

 Joseph Brean reported for the National Post that:

Court has heard details of the 14 Ontario deaths that are the subject of his pleas, and details of his business by which he would ship products to customers, mostly a culinary curing salt that is toxic in sufficient quantities, but also asphyxiation masks. He would also offer consultation phone calls, and sent documentation saying his businesses “will be held harmless for the end use of its products.”

Court is now hearing details of 79 similar deaths in the U.K., details of which were shared by British authorities and will be considered in sentencing later this year in September. Assisting suicide has a maximum jail term of 14 years.

His online material said he would not sell to minors, but court has heard two Canadian children, and another in Britain, successfully placed orders.

He shipped 1,209 packages to 41 countries.

An agreed statement of facts indicates that from 2020 to his 2023 arrest, he received nearly $300,000 from this business, roughly equally between Shopify and PayPal. 

On May 3, 2023; I reported that Law, had been arrested and charged with two counts of assisted suicide and was believed to have assisted the suicide of at least 7 people in the US and the UK.

On May 9, 2023 CTV News journalist, Jon Woodward reported that Law was facing two counts of aiding and abetting the deaths of two people in Peel Region, allegedly through the online sales of a legal substance that is lethal in high concentrations. Law sold the substance world-wide for the purposes of aiding suicide.

Neha Raju & Tom Parfett

Woodward reported that 23-year-old Neha Raju and 22-year-old Tom Parfett died in the U.K., 20-year-old Noelle Ramirez died in Colorado, and 17-year-old Anthony Jones died in Michigan and the police were investigating 1200 people who were sent the lethal poison online.

Euronews reported on August 25, 2023 that Law was being investigated by UK authorities in the suicide deaths of 88 people and it was suspected that Law had shipped the suicide poison to at least 232 people in the UK.

Imogen Nunn

On August 27, 2023 Jon Woodward reported on CP24 on the Law investigation that the death of Imogen Nunn, in the UK, was also connected to Law. Nunn died suddenly in January, 2023 and the family didn't know how she died until the toxicology report confirmed that she died from poisoning.

On December 12, 2023 CBC News Toronto reported that Law was charged with 14 counts of second-degree murder. The CBC news report stated:

Law was charged with 14 counts of second-degree murder, in addition to the 14 counts of counselling or aiding suicide that he was already facing. CBC News Toronto stated that York Regional Police Insp. Simon James, who heads up a multi-service task force investigating Law confirmed the charges at a news conference today. The new charges are related to the same alleged victims in multiple Ontario municipalities, from Toronto to Thunder Bay.

On October 7, 2024, Jon Woodward reported for CTV news that Law was challenging the second-degree murder charges to the Supreme Court of Canada. Woodward reported:

“Assisting suicide is not murder,” Law’s lawyers, Matthew Gourlay, Stephanie DiGuiseppe, and Taylor Wormington wrote in a brief filed Friday.

"Mr. Law is not alleged to have been present at any of the deaths. He is not alleged to have deceived the victims into unwittingly ending their own lives. It would impermissibly warp the language of the Code to assert that someone who mails a toxic substance that another person later voluntarily consumes in another location with suicidal intent has “actually committed” their murder," they write.Woodward's report indicates that at least 130 people died after consuming the poison.

Charges against Law included a 16-year-old death in Ontario. CBC News reported on May 8 that 17-year-old Anthony Jones from Michigan allegedly died in connection to Law's suicide kit.

Alleged suicide kit seller challenges murder charges to the Supreme Court of Canada

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Some of Kenneth Law's alleged victims

Kenneth Law who allegedly sold suicide kits to hundreds of people world-wide has challenged the murder charges against him to the Supreme Court of Canada.

Law was charged on May 9, 2023 with two counts of aiding and abetting suicide in the Peel Region, allegedly through the online sales of a legal substance that is lethal in high doses.

On December 12, 2023 CBC News Toronto reported that Law was charged with 14 counts of second-degree murder. The CBC news report stated:

Law was charged with 14 counts of second-degree murder, in addition to the 14 counts of counselling or aiding suicide that he was already facing.CBC News Toronto stated that York Regional Police Insp. Simon James, who heads up a multi-service task force investigating Law confirmed the charges at a news conference today. The new charges are related to the same alleged victims in multiple Ontario municipalities, from Toronto to Thunder Bay.

On October 7, 2024, Jon Woodward with CTV news reported that Law is challenging the second-degree murder charges to the Supreme Court of Canada. Woodward reported:

“Assisting suicide is not murder,” Law’s lawyers, Matthew Gourlay, Stephanie DiGuiseppe, and Taylor Wormington wrote in a brief filed Friday.

"Mr. Law is not alleged to have been present at any of the deaths. He is not alleged to have deceived the victims into unwittingly ending their own lives. It would impermissibly warp the language of the Code to assert that someone who mails a toxic substance that another person later voluntarily consumes in another location with suicidal intent has “actually committed” their murder," they write.

Woodward's report indicates that Law allegedly sold more than 1000 suicide kits with at least 130 people died after consuming the poison.

Imogen Nunn

On August 27, 2023 Jon Woodward reported for CP 24 that:

The British mom of a TikTok star is coming forward demanding justice after she found out her daughter died using a so-called suicide kit allegedly sold by a Canadian man, as deaths possibly tied to Kenneth Law rise to over 100.

Louise Nunn said it was sickening to learn that the death of her daughter Imogen, known as “Deaf Immy” to 710,000 TikTok followers, was one of 88 British people local police say died after ordering products from Law’s websites over a two-year period.

Nunn said it was heartbreaking to learn of other deaths months and years before Imogen’s, and believes many lives could have been saved if authorities had acted earlier.

Charges against Law include a 16-year-old suicide death in Ontario. CBC News reported on May 8 that 17-year-old Anthony Jones from Michigan allegedly died in connection to Law's suicide kit.

Law was selling a legal product, that he allegedly packaged in a lethal dose that was promoted and sold allegedly for the purpose of suicide.

Kenneth Law charged with 14 counts of second-degree murder.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

A Canadian man who was charged on May 9, 2023 with two counts of aiding and abetting suicide in the Peel Region, allegedly through the online sales of a legal substance that is lethal in high doses, has now been officially charged with 14 counts of second-degree murder.

CBC News Toronto reported on December 12 that:

Law was charged with 14 counts of second-degree murder, in addition to the 14 counts of counselling or aiding suicide that he was already facing.

CBC News Toronto stated that York Regional Police Insp. Simon James, who heads up a multi-service task force investigating Law confirmed the charges at a news conference today. The new charges are related to the same alleged victims in multiple Ontario municipalities, from Toronto to Thunder Bay.

Imogen Nunn

On August 27, 2023 Jon Woodward reported for CP 24 that:

The British mom of a TikTok star is coming forward demanding justice after she found out her daughter died using a so-called suicide kit allegedly sold by a Canadian man, as deaths possibly tied to Kenneth Law rise to over 100.

Louise Nunn said it was sickening to learn that the death of her daughter Imogen, known as “Deaf Immy” to 710,000 TikTok followers, was one of 88 British people local police say died after ordering products from Law’s websites over a two-year period.

Nunn said it was heartbreaking to learn of other deaths months and years before Imogen’s, and believes many lives could have been saved if authorities had acted earlier.

Charges against Law include a 16-year-old suicide death in Ontario. CBC News reported on May 8 that 17-year-old Anthony Jones from Michigan allegedly died in connection to Law's suicide kit.

Law appeared for a bail hearing on Friday August 25, 2023 and pled not guilty. Woodward reported:

Police in Canada have warned about the websites, allegedly run by Mississauga’s Kenneth Law, ...Peel Police said at the time of his arrest that they had tracked some 1,200 products to 40 countries.

Law claims that he is innocent of the charges and had no control over what people did with his suicide substance. Law was selling a legal product, that was packaged in a lethal dose but he was promoting and selling it for the alleged purpose of suicide.

Be careful when writing about suicide. Be aware of suicide contagion.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Recent articles about Kenneth Law, the Canadian man who allegedly sold 1200 suicide kits online, have created anger and disgust among many people, especially the families of the victims. 

Law has been charged with aiding and abetting suicide in the deaths of 14 Ontario residents, one of whom was 16-years-old. Law is being investigated for his alleged role in the deaths of 88 people in the UK and was allegedly involved in the deaths of many Americans, including 17-year-old Anthony Jones of Michigan.

On July 18, 2023, a Netherlands man (Alex S) was convicted for selling a suicide powder with instructions to as many as 1600 people and sentenced to 3.5 years in prison in relation to the suicide deaths of at least 10 people.

I am concerned about the suicide contagion effect when writing about Kenneth Law and (Alex S). I remain concerned about how people are writing about Philip Nitschke, who essentially makes his living selling suicide books, materials and devices, and is possible responsible for many more deaths than Law and (Alex S) combined.

Aislin Murphy wrote an article about Kenneth Law that was published by CTV News on July 25, 2023. In the article, Murphy interviewed Nitschke who essentially says that Law wasn't careful because he was selling the suicide substance to everyone, including teenagers. Nitscke, in the interview, justifies elder suicide. Murphy wrote:

While Nitschke advocates for seniors hoping to end their own lives, he says Law acted short-sightedly by allegedly selling sodium nitrite to younger individuals.

It is interesting that Nitschke, a long-time assisted suicide activist and makes a living selling his suicide books, materials and devices, was concerned about teen suicide. In a 2001 interview with Kathryn Lopez,

 Nitschke said that the "peaceful pill" should be provided to troubled teens. Nitschke stated to Lopez in 2001:

I do not believe that telling people they have a right to life while denying them the means, manner, or information necessary for them to give this life away has any ethical consistency. So all people qualify, not just those with the training, knowledge, or resources to find out how to “give away” their life. And someone needs to provide this knowledge, training, or recourse necessary to anyone who wants it, including the depressed, the elderly bereaved, [and] the troubled teen. If we are to remain consistent and we believe that the individual has the right to dispose of their life, we should not erect artificial barriers in the way of sub-groups who don’t meet our criteria.

Recently the media once again promoted Nitshcke's Sarco euthanasia capsule. The Sarco capsule was developed by Nitschke as a way to gain media attention and to promote his websites that sell suicide books, materials and gadgets. Nitschke is 'making a killing' on selling suicide.

Everything written about Nitschke provides free advertising and promotion for his suicide websites that enable him to make money selling suicide.

Be careful when writing about Dr Death.

Canadian man faces 12 more charges for aiding and counselling suicide.

One suicide victim was 16 years-old, another was 17.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

Kenneth Law

A Canadian man who was charged on May 9 with two counts of aiding and abetting the suicide deaths of two people in the Peel Region, allegedly through the online sale of a legal substance that is lethal in high concentrations, has now 12 additional charges resulting in 14 total charges for counselling/aiding suicide.

Codi Wilson, reported on August 29 for CP 24 that Kenneth Law is now facing 12 new charges in Ontario for counselling or aiding suicide. Wilson reported:

Kenneth Law, who was previously charged by Peel Regional Police with two counts of counselling or aiding suicide, now faces 12 new charges in connection with deaths in regions across Ontario.

Police said the new charges involve four deaths in Toronto, three in York Region, one in Durham Region, one in London, Ont., one in Thunder Bay, one in Waterloo, and one additional death in Peel Region. All charges will now be heard at the Newmarket courthouse, police confirmed.

At a news conference at Peel police headquarters on Tuesday, York Regional Police Insp. Simon James, who is leading the multi-jurisdictional case, told reporters that the victims range in age from 16 to 36.

On August 25, 2023 I published an article about Kenneth being investigated by UK authorities for aiding the suicide deaths of at least 88 people.

Imogen Nunn

On August 27, 2023 Jon Woodward reported for CP 24 that:

The British mom of a TikTok star is coming forward demanding justice after she found out her daughter died using a so-called suicide kit allegedly sold by a Canadian man, as deaths possibly tied to Kenneth Law rise to over 100.

Louise Nunn said it was sickening to learn that the death of her daughter Imogen, known as “Deaf Immy” to 710,000 TikTok followers, was one of 88 British people local police say died after ordering products from Law’s websites over a two-year period.

Nunn said it was heartbreaking to learn of other deaths months and years before Imogen’s, and believes many lives could have been saved if authorities had acted earlier.

The new charges include a 16-year-old suicide death in Ontario. CBC News reported on May 8 that 17-year-old Anthony Jones from Michigan allegedly died in connection to Law's suicide kit.

Law appeared for a bail hearing on Friday August 25, 2023 and pled not guilty. Woodward reported that:

Police in Canada have warned about the websites, allegedly run by Mississauga’s Kenneth Law, ...Peel Police said at the time of his arrest that they had tracked some 1,200 products to 40 countries.

Wilson's report stated:

While Peel police first began their investigation in the spring, James said it is believed that Law started operating the websites sometime in late 2020.

Law claims that he is innocent of the charges and had no control over what people did with his suicide packages. Law was selling a legal product, but he was packaging it in a lethal dose and he was promoting and selling it for the alleged purpose of suicide.

Possibly hundreds of deaths could have been prevented if Canadian authorities had stopped the sale of the suicide kits when they first learned of the websites and the suicide deaths.

International online company sells and promotes suicide.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health there are a number of ways to get help, including by calling Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

I was doing a google search on a US state assisted suicide bill when the top search results included an ad stating: Shop help for suicide - Amazon Official Site.

The ad stated: Find deals on help for suicide in books on Amazon. Browse and discover thousands of products.

When I clicked on the link I was brought to a page selling how to suicide books and information from a variety of authors.

The easy access to how to suicide books and information is a serious concern considering the many people who are experience suicidal ideation. Many people temporily struggle with suicidal thoughts. These people need treatment and support to get through their struggle. Instead, Amazon is encouraging people to die by suicide, their site is similar to counseling people to suicide.

When Canada legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2016 it did so by creating an exception in the Criminal Code to homicide (Section 222 of the Criminal Code) and assisting a suicide (Section 241 of the Criminal Code). Therefore it remains illegal for me or you or Amazon to assist a suicide.

Section 241 of Canada's Criminal Code states:

241 (1) Everyone is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years who, whether suicide ensues or not,

(a) counsels a person to die by suicide or abets a person in dying by suicide; or

(b) aids a person to die by suicide.

Based on my search result and the wording of Section 241 of the Criminal Code, it appears that Amazon is breaking Canadian law.

Neha Raju and Tom Parfett

On May 10, 2023; an Ontario man was charged with two counts of Aid and Abetting suicide. Neha Raju and Tom Parfett were among alleged 1200 people who received packages of a suicide substance allegedly from Kenneth Law.

In November 2022, Representative Lori Trahan, Democrat of Massachusetts, co-sponsor Katie Porter, Democrat of California, and Republicans Mike Carey of Ohio and Chris Stewart of Utah sponsored Bill H.R.9260, to stop online suicide assistance forums, etc.

An article by Gabriel J.X. Dance and Megan Twohey titled: Bill Outlawing Online Suicide Assistance Would Open Sites to Liability reports on a bipartisan bill introduced in the House of Representatives amid rising concern over suicide rates among young people, and mounting evidence of online dangers. 

The article referred to the New York Times investigative report on a suicide website from December 2022:

The bill’s primary sponsor cited a Times investigation published last December into a website where members share detailed instructions on how to die and encourage one another to follow through with suicide plans. The investigation identified 45 deaths connected to the site and found hundreds of posts suggesting that the true toll was much higher.

Even as the trail of suicides connected to the site grows longer — The Times has since identified dozens more deaths, including several young teenagers — no one involved has faced legal consequences.

The article reports that Trahan, the bills sponsor, referred to the New York Times findings as “terrifying” and said that “it motivated us to act.”

Canada may need to amend Section 241 of the Criminal Code to define the term "everyone" to ensure that it prohibits online suicide websites and the online sale of suicide books, instructions and materials.

Teens’ Parents sue Amazon for Selling “Suicide kits”

Sara Buscher, Chair
Euthanasia Prevention Coalition USA

Warning: Please don't read this article if you are having suicidal thoughts.

When 16 year old Kristine went missing, her parents panicked. They called 911 and organized a search. Her dad then realized he could use GPS to find her phone. That’s how they found her dead in her Mom’s car with the bottle of Sodium Nitrite she bought from Amazon. The Coroner said the cause of death was “Sodium Nitrite Toxicity” and manner of death was “Suicide.”

When Ethan, age 17, did not come down for breakfast, his Mom found him dead. He was “lying in bed, his legs crossed at the ankles and one arm was raised straight in the air. … Ethan’s skin was mottled and felt cold. She saw thick reddish-brown liquid coming out of his mouth.” She also found a bottle labeled Sodium Nitrite that he bought from Amazon next to a glass with white dried powder and a spoon.”

Kristine and Ethan’s parents have launched a law suit against the manufacturer and Amazon. Their court filing says:

“Amazon consciously sold Kristine and Ethan Sodium Nitrite with the knowledge and understanding it would be used to end their lives.” (Link to the lawsuit). 

A similar suit has been filed by parents of two other children, age 17 and 27, who killed themselves with Sodium Nitrite sold by Amazon and a second manufacturer. (Link to the other lawsuit).

Amazon’s Sodium Nitrite page offers Tagamet, which is said to prevent life-saving vomiting after ingesting a deadly dose.

Amazon also recommends small scales and the “Amazon Edition” of Dr. Philip Nitschke’s suicide instruction book, the “Peaceful Pill Handbook.”

The concentration of Sodium Nitrite sold by Amazon was 98-99% pure, having no household use. Much lower concentrations, 6-7%, are used to preserve or cure meat.

The Peaceful Pill Handbook has a chapter on Lethal Salts that provides specific instructions for using Sodium Nitrite to commit suicide (including taking Tagamet) and lists Amazon as a source for this Lethal Salt.

In June, the Missouri Poison Center called the increasing number of young adult suicides by Sodium Nitrite frightening (Link to article). U.S. poison centers across the country have seen a 166 percent increase in fatalities in 2021 compared to 2018. Their alert said it’s easy to find on line and promoted as an effective method of suicide. 

Similar article: Amazon sued by parents for selling suicide kits to teens (Link)
____________________________________

If you are having thoughts of suicide:

In the USA call 988 for 24/7, free, and confidential support.

If you are in immediate danger or you think someone is at risk of harm, contact your local emergency services.

Amazon sued by parents for selling suicide kits to teens.

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

NPR reported on October 9 that the parents of Kristine Jónsson (16) of Ohio and the parents of Ethan McCarthy (17) of West Virginia say that Amazon assisted the suicide deaths of their teenagers.

According to an article by Joe Hernandez for NPR News:

The complaint filed in California state court in September claims Amazon recommended that customers who purchased the chemical also buy a scale to measure the correct dose, an anti-vomiting drug and Amazon's edition of a handbook on assisted suicide.

"Amazon is selling a product that is as deadly as cyanide," Carrie Goldberg and Naomi Leeds, two attorneys for the families from the firm C.A. Goldberg, PLLC, said in a statement.

A previous complaint filed in Washington state earlier this year by the same law firm alleged that Amazon sold the drug to two other people — 27-year-old Mikael Scott and 17-year-old Tyler Muhleman — who also used it to kill themselves.

The article explains that Amazon sold the teenagers the suicide powder with the peaceful pill handbook that is written by Philip Nitschke and explains how to ingest the substance for suicide.

This is not a new concern. According to Hernandez, on February 4, 2022 the New York Times reported that a bipartison group of members of the House sent a letter to Amazon concerning the sale of the suicide powder. At that time the New York Times had estimated that at least 10 people had died from the suicide powder from Amazon in the previous two years.

On February 21, 2022 a Netherlands man was arrested for selling a suicide powder that resulted in at least 4 deaths. He may have sold the suicide powder to at least 500 people.

If you are experiencing suicidal feelings call: 1.833.456.4566