Canadian Man Accused of Selling Chemical Linked to 73 British Deaths Will Not Face UK Trial, Prosecutors Say

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided not to charge Kenneth Law, a Canadian man alleged to have sold a lethal chemical linked to the deaths of 73 British people, sparking anger among UK families. David Parfett, whose 22-year-old son Thomas died in 2021 after using the substance, told the BBC that Law had caused "devastation" and expressed a desire for him to face charges in the United Kingdom. Law, a former chef, is expected to admit 14 counts of assisting suicides in Canada when he appears in court in Ontario later on Friday.

CPS Decision and Legal Complexities

The CPS stated that the Canadian legal system will take the losses of UK families into account, according to a letter seen by the BBC. The letter explained that Law would not face charges in the UK due to legal complexities, without specifying further details. British detectives initially investigated whether 88 deaths were linked to packages sent by Law, but the CPS letter indicated it now believes 73 deaths could be connected to him. Law is expected to accept that he sent 330 packages to the UK, prosecutors said.

Victim Family Reaction and Call for Inquiry

David Parfett described his son Thomas as someone who "really saw the joy in life" and "would find humour in the weirdest places." He added, "I often think about his laugh. Tom was a massive football fan and he was a good footballer as well. I miss the opportunity to enjoy the 2026 World Cup with him." Parfett said he had wanted Law to face charges in the UK, stating, "he really needed to face justice over here." He is now calling on the UK government to hold a public inquiry into the deaths. "I think that a public inquiry is needed because we need action across multiple government departments and unfortunately, we are not seeing that coordination and that understanding of how to address the problem today," Parfett said. "Fundamentally, the government is failing in its duty to protect life." The BBC has approached the Home Office for comment.

Criminal Charges and International Investigation

Law was charged in Canada with 14 counts of assisting suicides and 14 counts of second-degree murder following his arrest in 2023. Prosecutors in Canada allege he marketed and sold lethal quantities of a substance online, which he sent to approximately 1,200 people around the world. His arrest followed a complex investigation involving at least 11 law-enforcement agencies and investigators from around a dozen countries, including the UK, Italy, and the United States. Law will appear in court in Ontario, Canada later on Friday.

Context

This case follows other incidents involving online sales of lethal substances. In a related case, an inquest was recently adjourned for a man who died after buying poison online in the UK. Additionally, the Canadian legal system has previously handled the case of Kenneth Law, who was described in media reports as a "poison killer" and sent directly to trial in Canada.