Canadian man faces murder charge in global probe into online sale of suicide kits
Unveiling a tragic international investigation into 'suicide kits' sold online, a Canadian man now faces murder charges Grieving parents, separated by an ocean, unite in anguish and outrage over the devastating loss of their children
Living on opposite sides of the ocean, David Parfett and David Ramirez are connected by the tragic loss of their children to suicide. As fathers to young adults who struggled with mental health challenges in their final years, they share parallel stories of grief, love, and vulnerability.
Tom Parfett died in 2021 in England, Noelle Ramirez in 2022 in Colorado.
"Tom was such a gifted kid," said Parfett, taking in a framed photo of his son with a smile.
"Ramirez spoke of his daughter as a beacon of bravery and freedom, finding it hard to hold back tears as he remembered her. Tragically, both of them passed away due to a fatal amount of sodium nitrite that they had purchased over the internet. This toxic salt, commonly used in small amounts as a meat preservative, proved to be lethal in this instance."
Kenneth Law has been charged with 14 counts of second-degree murder in Ontario this week, in addition to the previously laid charges of 14 counts of counseling and aiding suicide. He is currently in custody and is scheduled to appear in court in Ontario on December 19, as announced by the police.
Matthew Gourlay, the lawyer for Laws, stated to CNN that his client will plead not guilty to the new charges of second degree murder, in addition to the assisting suicide charges. He emphasized that these new allegations will be strongly challenged in court. The charges are related to 14 alleged victims in Ontario, and the police have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges in Canada or in other countries as their investigation continues.
Insp. Simon James of the York Regional Police stated at a news briefing near Toronto on Tuesday that they are working closely with law enforcement agencies worldwide on a daily basis. He is currently leading a multi-jurisdictional investigation in Ontario and they are looking into reports that Law may have sent over 1,200 toxic packages meant for self-harm to individuals in over 40 countries.
Parfett revealed to CNN that he had long suspected his son Tom had found the resources and motivation to take his own life from online sources. He conducted investigations in the weeks following his son's passing, hoping to unravel how his son had obtained the deadly substance.
"I actually ordered poison from Ken Law within 2 to 3 months. At that time, I was unaware that it was the same method used by my son. It just goes to show how easily accessible it was," Parfett shared with CNN during an interview at his London residence.
Ramirez also diligently retraced his daughter's final movements in order to gain insight into how she was able to take her own life.
"You can't just purchase a bomb online and have it shipped to you. This chemical is extremely lethal," Ramirez explained in a CNN interview from his place of work in Montrose, Colorado.
Both men argue that further investigations are necessary in their respective countries and beyond.
The Canadian police are gathering more evidence, leading to the addition of new charges of second-degree murder against Law. The alleged victims are reportedly between the ages of 16 and 36.
The British National Crime Agency has identified 272 individuals who have purchased products from websites associated with Law between April 2021 and April 2023. According to a statement made to CNN, the NCA has discovered that 89 of these individuals have since passed away. As a result, the agency, in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service, has initiated an investigation into potential criminal offenses committed in the UK, currently in progress.
Sodium nitrite is frequently used as a preservative for meat and fish, in metal treatment and finishing, as an antidote to cyanide, and as a color fixative, as per the US Food and Drug Administration. It is not prohibited to purchase, but it is regulated and relatively obscure, except for its recent popularity on internet suicide forums.
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is working to pass a bill to outlaw the sale of highly concentrated sodium nitrite. However, it is currently still available for purchase online in the US and in many other countries.
Tom Parfett was 22 years old when he passed away in October 2021, while he was pursuing a degree in philosophy at St. Andrews University in Scotland. His father fondly remembers Tom as a deeply intelligent and compassionate young man, who cherished his friendships and had an immense passion for football, particularly for Manchester United.
Noelle Ramirez, born on May 3, 2002, in Denver, Colorado, tragically passed away at the age of 20, just two months shy of her 21st birthday. At the time of her passing, she was in the process of transitioning and was receiving therapy while attending college near her parents' home. Her father lovingly describes her as a kind and remarkably friendly individual, a beacon of bravery and freedom. He shares that she would often help her friends by building computers for those who couldn't afford them.
Tom and Noelle, both part of Generation Z, found common ground in navigating the challenges of Covid 19 lockdowns and overcoming personal struggles typical of young people today.
The investigation is progressing at a slow pace, and Parfett believes that without an independent investigation spearheaded by The Times newspaper in London earlier this year, Law may have escaped facing any charges for his crimes.
"It resulted in loss of lives. The police and authorities had the chance to act swiftly and put an end to this," Parfett stated.
In his London residence, David Parfett, with framed photographs of Tom surrounding him, firmly believes that Tom could have been rescued if he had not been influenced and provided with the resources to end his own life.
Parfett expressed disbelief that his beloved child could have been influenced to commit suicide, stating, "Knowing him as I do, I really don't think that is something Tom would do of his own volition." This sentiment was echoed by Ramirez and his family, who believe that Law's website played a role in Noelle's death and that Law may have even coached her on how to end her own life.
"I traced the receipts and packaging," Ramirez explained. "I truly believe that my daughter would be alive today. She was a good person and we did our best to keep her safe. I can't help but feel that she would still be here if it weren't for him."
