A New Zealand coroner has formally linked four deaths to the sale of "suicide kits" bought online from a former Canadian chef, according to findings published Monday.
Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame found that three students, aged 18 to 21, and one 40-year-old personal trainer killed themselves after buying kits from businesses linked to Canadian Kenneth Law.
Canadian police believe Law sent as many as 1,200 "suicide kits" to people in more than 40 countries between 2020 and his arrest last year -- specifically targeting vulnerable people online.
Canadian prosecutors allege the kits contained a food additive that can kill if misused.
Law was arrested in May 2023 and charged in Canada with 14 counts of murder and a further 14 counts of aiding and counselling suicide.
He has denied the charges.
Alerted by Interpol, several other countries have launched investigations.
In Britain, at least 272 people purchased products from Law's websites and 88 of them died, police there have said.
In Italy, nine buyers have been identified and at least one victim has died.
The Canadian victims were both male and female between the ages of 16 and 36, according to police.
New Zealand's Suicide Prevention Office has asked internet service providers to block Law's website in New Zealand, the coroner added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
| Helplines | |
|---|---|
| Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health | 9999666555 or help@vandrevalafoundation.com |
| TISS iCall | 022-25521111 (Monday-Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm) |
| (If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.) | |
Featured Video Of The Day
"Will Ensure Guarantees Reach People": PM Ahead Of Budget Session
PM Modi, His New Zealand Counterpart Agree To Advance Bilateral Ties In BCCI's Strict Rule For Test Selection, Three India Stars Get Exception Sri Lanka, Pakistan Visits Confirmed As New Zealand Reveal Packed Summer Schedule IAS Smita Sabharwal's Disability Quota Remark Draws Massive Criticism "Tried To Silence Prime Minister For 2.5 Hours": PM's Jab At Opposition Opposition Asks Why Dharmendra Pradhan Did Not Quit Over NEET, His Reply IBPS Clerk Exam 2024 Registration Last Date Extended To July 28 Actor Jasmine Bhasin Suffers Corneal Damage: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment In Sudan, Women Forced To Line Up For Sex With Soldiers For Food: Report Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.