Canadian man Kenneth Law has pleaded guilty to aiding suicides after selling toxic chemicals online to people across multiple countries.
Kenneth Law pleaded guilty in an Ontario court to 14 counts of aiding suicide as part of a deal with prosecutors that saw murder charges withdrawn.
Authorities said Law sold toxic chemicals online and shipped around 1,200 packages to buyers in 41 countries, including more than 100 in the UK. Investigators said he met customers through online suicide forums and allegedly advised users on how to use the substances.
The case sparked outrage among families in the UK, where authorities linked the chemical sales to at least 73 deaths. British prosecutors confirmed Law will not face charges in the UK due to legal complications, despite calls from victims’ families for further action.
One of the victims, 22-year-old Thomas Parfett from Surrey, died in 2021 after purchasing the substance online. His father, David Parfett, is now calling for a public inquiry into the deaths and stronger government action to prevent similar cases.
Law was arrested in 2023 following an international investigation involving agencies from Canada, the UK, the US, Italy and several other countries. Under Canadian law, aiding suicide carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
The case has renewed global concern over online platforms used to promote and facilitate suicide.
