Suicide as a business model. That’s where Kenneth Law, a 57-year-old Canadian, made money. The man is under investigation in various countries because he sold ‘suicide powder’ online. In the United Kingdom alone, that would have led to 88 deaths. Investigations are also underway in Italy, the US, Australia and New Zealand, among others.
If you have questions about suicide, you can contact the Suicide Line via the free number 1813 or on www.zelfmoord1813.be.
The Canadian sold his poison through websites specifically aimed at people with suicidal thoughts. According to the British National Crime Agency (NCA), 88 people in the United Kingdom alone were killed by the poison and at least 232 people purchased products from the man. They too are considered victims.
For the time being, the NCA cannot state with certainty that those deaths were caused by the poison in question, but it is conducting an investigation into criminal offenses. British police made hundreds of welfare visits across the country to look for victims of the suicide broker.
Customers in more than 40 countries
Kenneth Law, 57, was arrested in Ontario in May after charges were filed in Canada for advising and assisting suicide. He operated one or more websites on which he sold a toxic chemical that he shipped to customers in more than 40 countries.
According to the Ontario Police Department, it is “a white, crystalline substance” sometimes used in food processing that can “lower oxygen levels, impede breathing and cause death” if consumed in sufficient quantities.
According to the British ‘Sky News’, investigations are also underway in Italy, the US, Australia and New Zealand into the supplier of the so-called suicide powder.
Dutchman also prosecuted
The deadly pursuit of profit by Kenneth Law (57) is not unique, by the way. The Dutchman Tom de M. (76) is also said to have sold postal packages with suicide powder ‘Middel X’ via his website for years. According to the judiciary, more than 500 people would have ordered ‘Means X’ from De M. and he would have earned ‘a considerable amount of money’ with it. He is suspected of aiding suicide to seven people and of money laundering.
If you have questions about suicide, you can contact the Suicide Line via the free number 1813 or on www.zelfmoord1813.be.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.