Mississauga man charged with ‘aiding suicide’ through alleged sales of lethal substance

A Mississauga man has been arrested and charged by police for allegedly counselling or aiding suicide.

Police said they began investigating a sudden death in which they believed a chemical substance was consumed at the end of March. They announced an arrest on Tuesday.

“It is believed that the suspect distributed and marketed the substance online to target individuals at risk of self-harm,” police said.

The suspect was named as 57-year-old Kenneth Law.

The arrest comes after an exclusive April 25 report by the Times of London that alleged the chemicals used in the death of a young man were purchased from a Toronto-area man named Kenneth Law.

Global News reached out to Law regarding the allegations, but he declined an interview.

In a text on Friday, Law said he “presently can’t speak openly.”

Police said they could not comment on investigations in the United Kingdom during a press conference on Tuesday night. Investigators said the two charges that the Kenneth Law officers arrested faces are relating to deaths in the Region of Peel.

Police asked anyone who had received a package from any one of several businesses to contact them immediately. The businesses warned about were: Imtime Cuisine, AmbuCA, Academic/ACademic, Escape Mode/ escMode or ICemac.

Peel police deputy chief Marc Andrews said people should be “cautious and vigilant of online activities” and lookout for payments related to the companies.

Investigators said they believe Law was distributing sodium nitrate online and marketing it. Sodium nitrite is a white, crystalline substance used as a food additive, particularly with processed meat. Certain quantities eaten on their own can cause death, police said.

Police said Law had faced two charges which investigators alleged were linked to two deaths in the Region of Peel.

Andrews said that police believed 1,200 packages were sent to a total of 40 countries, though he said it could not “categorically” be stated that they all contained the substance.

Search warrants were being executed by police, Andrews said, with a “number” more as the investigation moves forward.

Andrews said Peel police officers were working with national and international partners and believed there could be more victims.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help, resources are available. In case of an emergency, please call 911. The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, Depression Hurts and Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 — all offer ways for getting help if you, or someone you know, is suffering from mental health issues. For a directory of support services in your area, visit the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention.
Learn more about how to help someone in crisis on the Government of Canada website.