Dad of U.K. suicide victim seeks justice after Toronto man allegedly sold lethal substance | 24CA News
Police in Peel Region say they’re investigating after a report surfaced {that a} Toronto-area man allegedly offered a authorized however probably lethal substance to individuals overseas who later used the chemical compound to take their very own lives.
David Parfett’s son Tom died by suicide on the age of twenty-two.
In an interview with Global News, Parfett stated Tom was a “really bright guy,” who was finding out philosophy at St. Andrews University within the United Kingdom.
“Apart from being bright he was a nice, kind kid,” Parfett stated. “One of the teachers at his school described him as having an excellent moral compass.”
Parfett stated Tom was “known and loved by a lot of people.”
However, Parfett stated in the previous couple of years of his life, Tom “did struggle with his mental health.”
According to Parfett, Tom had spoken brazenly about suicide earlier than his dying.
Parfett stated Tom died after consuming sodium nitrite which was bought on-line and shipped from Canada.
An unique report by the Times of London printed earlier this week alleges the chemical substances Tom used have been bought from a Toronto-area man named Kenneth Law.
The report alleges Law despatched shipments of sodium nitrite to individuals who had expressed an curiosity in taking their very own lives.
Law ran an internet site that has since been taken down. However, archived photos present some merchandise he allegedly offered, together with varied kitchen salts.
According to Parfett, he was in a position to buy sodium nitrite, as his son did from the location allegedly run by Law.
Global News reached out to Law concerning the allegations, however he declined an interview.
In a textual content on Friday, Law stated he “presently can’t speak openly.”
“Legal counsel has advised me to remain silent for the time,” the textual content learn. “Post investigation I will connect with you and share my story.”
Law advised The Globe and Mail that he was “selling a legal product,” and stated he isn’t breaking any legal guidelines.
Law denied that he was focusing on consumers who wished to kill themselves, and stated the Times had misrepresented his feedback.
Sodium nitrite is legally offered in Canada.
Parfett claims little has been achieved by police within the United Kingdom to research the circumstances of his son’s dying.
“Unfortunately, the police were showing no interest in the U.K. about this,” he stated. “They’d seen it as just Tom has taken his own life.”
However, the report has prompted a police probe in Canada.
Peel Regional Police advised Global News on Friday that the power has launched an investigation into what Law was doing, however stated they haven’t made any arrests.
Law presently faces no costs. The allegations in opposition to him haven’t been confirmed in court docket.
Parfett stated he feels Law ought to face justice.
“There’s overwhelming evidence that he knows what he’s doing, there’s overwhelming evidence that he’s assisted the suicide of potentially tens maybe even hundreds of people,” Parfett stated. “So I have to admit I’m astonished that he’s still a free man.”
According to Canada’s Criminal Code, anybody who’s discovered to have counselled or aided an individual to die by suicide may resist 14 years in jail.
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