Family handoutA Canadian man who sold toxic chemicals to people who went on to kill themselves should “rot in hell”, the mother of a British woman who took her own life has said.
Imogen Nunn, known as Immy, died in January 2023 aged 24 after buying drugs online from Kenneth Law.
Law has admitted 14 counts of aiding suicides in Canada after meeting people in online suicide forums. But almost 80 deaths in the UK have also been linked to him.
However, as part of a plea deal with Canadian authorities, Law will not face charges in the UK or over any British deaths.
It comes as the impact statements of UK families will be read in court in Ontario this week.
In May this year, Law pleaded guilty to 14 counts of aiding suicides in Canada as part of a deal with prosecutors, who withdrew more serious charges of murder.
Authorities said Law, a former chef, sold about 1,200 packages of toxic substances to recipients he met in online suicide forums in 40 countries. Roughly a quarter of the packages were sent to the UK.
Speaking at the time, families of British victims said they were angry UK prosecutors had not charged Law over the deaths of 79 Britons, which authorities said were linked to products he supplied.
Peel Regional Police / PA WireThe UK’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had agreed to the Canadian plea bargain on the basis Law’s sentence take the British deaths into account.
A letter, seen by the BBC, revealed the CPS was concerned Law could challenge his extradition to the UK from Canada, and that including UK victims in the Canadian sentencing process was the “quickest and most effective route” to justice.
‘You destroyed my whole world’
This week, a Canadian court will hear impact statements from UK victims. They will be taken into account at sentencing, which is due at a later date. It is the only opportunity for British families to have a voice in the legal process.
Speaking to the BBC, however, Nunn said part of her victim impact statement had been redacted by authorities.
“I think we had a chance to say the words we wanted to say in our impact statement, but now I’ve been told they’ve redacted my last paragraph, which felt like our only chance.”
In it, she said Law destroyed her life. “You have destroyed my whole world. If Immy was here now, I know exactly what she would say to me, but I’m not Immy and I will never forgive you.”
‘Social media built up her confidence’
Immy was profoundly deaf and had a presence on social media where she shared a satirical look at her life.
“She found social media and I just remember how happy she was,” said Nunn. “She tried to put a spin on a sad situation and she tried to take all the negative things in her life and turn it into more positive.
“It changed her, her confidence came back. Social media built up her confidence and friendships.”
Responding to the BBC, the CPS said: “Some redactions are being applied to victim impact statements as advised by Canadian counsel, to ensure they are admissible within the Canadian courts.
“We recognise the profound impact of Kenneth Law’s offending and are working to ensure all victims and bereaved families have the opportunity to share their individual experiences through the sentencing process.”
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the issues raised in this article, details of organisations offering information are available at BBC Action Line
