Ontario police have confirmed that the Mississauga man, accused of selling sodium nitrite and other dangerous items to people at risk of suicide, faces more than a dozen new charges.
Source: CP24
Peel District Police have indicted Kenneth Law on two counts of abetting or assisted suicide, and he now faces 12 new charges related to deaths across Ontario, CP24 reported.
Police said the new charges involved four deaths in Toronto, three in York District, one in Tulane, one in the City of London, one in Thunder Bay, one in Waterloo and one other death in Peel. Police confirmed that all charges will now be heard in Newmarket Court.
At a news conference at Peel District Police Headquarters on Tuesday, York District Constable Simon James, who led the multi-precinct joint investigation case, said the victims were between the ages of 16 and 36.
"We will not release information on the identities of victims in these cases. This is to respect the privacy of the victims and their families and to maintain the integrity of the investigation," James said.
"On behalf of the investigation team, we extend our sincerest condolences to those who have lost loved ones as a result of these unimaginable circumstances. We will continue to support the victims' friends, family members, and survivors. "
Just days ago, British officials confirmed that 272 people had ordered products from Canadian websites that could be used for self-harm, 88 of whom had died.
Source: CTV
Britain's National Crime Agency said in a statement that it would investigate the deaths because the Canadian police investigation did not include cases in the UK.
James said at a news conference on Tuesday that local police would maintain regular contact with police agencies abroad.
"Due to the nature of this investigation, we have adopted Ontario's multi-district joint investigation system for major cases. The system will ensure that Ontario's police agencies share information and work together in a timely manner," James said.
"Our team is monitoring Ontario's allegations, but we are also communicating and sharing information with police agencies around the world."
Ontario's investigation included 11 police agencies from across the province.
"We will not tolerate those who commit criminal acts against vulnerable individuals in our community and will hold them accountable and punished," James said.
The charges against Kenneth Law have not been confirmed by the court.
Investigators said Law used a number of online stores to sell sodium nitrite.
Law-related websites also sell rubber tubes, gas masks and other dangerous materials that can be used for suicide, and the sites also advertise information about telephone consultations with Law.
Source: CTV
Investigators said they believe Law has sent more than 1,200 packages containing suicide vehicles to as many as 40 countries. Police confirmed that about 160 of the packages were destined for addresses in Canada.
James said police had traced the source of the sodium nitrite, but could not disclose it.
"We know where it came from, but as our investigation is still ongoing, I can't elaborate," he added.
Although Peel District Police initially began an investigation this spring, James said Law is believed to have been operating the sites since late 2020.
Source: CTV
Earlier this year, police released the names of a number of companies linked to the investigation, including Academic/ACademic, AmbuCA, ICemac, Escape Mode/escMode, and Imtime Cuisine.
"We ask the public to be cautious and vigilant about these online activities. If you received a package from one of these companies ... We urge you to contact your local police," James said.
"If you or anyone you know has discussed self-harm with Kenneth Law, or if you notice a payment or transaction related to these companies, call the reporting number. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can also report a crime through a crime reporting number. ”
James could not say whether he thought Law would be charged otherwise. To date, Law faces a total of 14 charges of assisted suicide or abetment to suicide.
If the UK case is included, the likely death toll allegedly linked to the products sold by Law now exceeds 100.
"I can't elaborate on the total number of deaths because this is an ongoing investigation," James said.
As previously reported, sodium nitrite is a chemical used to cured meat, but can be fatal in high concentrations.
The allegations against Law surprised colleagues at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, where Law previously worked as a chef. Kenneth Law was designated "Cook 2" at the Reign restaurant at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel and was the shop manager for rival union Unite Here.
The hotel fired Law after Peel police announced charges against him. The Fairmont Royal York Hotel said it had not stored sodium nitrite in its kitchens for at least the past 10 years, saying in a statement, "We can publish a review done at that time." It turned out to be an isolated incident with no reason to worry about other employees. "