Fifth New Zealand suicide linked to poison selling Canadian chef

Friday, 20 September 2024

The Coroner has linked four New Zealand suicides to a murder accused Canadian man who allegedly supplied lethal products through his companies.

A fifth New Zealander’s suicide has been linked to the activities of Canadian Kenneth Law, the so-called poison chef.

While 25-year-old Sayaka Steed ordered a substance from one of Law’s companies, it’s not known if she died after using it.

Law faces a murder trial in Canada next year. Investigators claim he sent about 1200 packages to more than 40 countries.

Another young New Zealander’s suicide has been linked to the activities of so-called Canadian poison chef Kenneth Law.

It comes after the family of James Plunket, who also purchased a lethal substance from one of Law’s websites, called for restrictions to stop further suicides.

The latest case relates to the death of 25-year-old Auckland woman Sayaka Steed, who was found in an inner-city hotel room in April 2022.

It’s claimed Kenneth Law sent about 1200 packages to more than 40 countries.

Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame found Steed ordered an item from a company connected to Law in January 2022. It was delivered about two weeks later.

The purchase suggested Steed had carried out research, which directed her to information and products promoted by Law.

However, the Coroner emphasised it has not been confirmed that Steed died after using the substance obtained from the entity associated with Law.

Steed’s death is the fifth New Zealand suicide with a known link to Law’s activities.

Liana Kirk died in November 2022 after ordering a package from a business connected with Law. The 21-year-old was found at her grandmother’s house by a friend who, despite starting CPR, could not revive Kirk.

Otago University student Crow Grant was just 18 when they were found dead in their residential college room last April, after ordering a package from one of Law’s websites.

Nicholas Heyworth, a 21-year-old Victoria University student, died in a Wellington hotel room in May 2022.

Months later, in July 2022, Wellingtonian Plunket, a 40-year-old personal trainer, was also discovered dead in a hotel room.

Plunket - the half brother of broadcaster Sean Plunket - died after buying a lethal substance from a website linked to Law.

Plunket’s brother, Jack, previously told Stuff it should be “much harder” to access websites like those operated by Law.

“We’re really sad that he was in a position that he felt he needed to make this [mail] order, and it is … upsetting that he was able to get hold of it so easily,” he said.

“It feels like it was a bit too easy. I just think the importation of this substance needs to be better regulated.'

Stuff has been told it’s unknown whether there are other deaths in New Zealand with links to Law.

Law during an earlier court appearance in Brampton, Ontario. He’s reportedly been linked to more than 100 suspected suicides in countries including Germany, Australia, the UK and US.

Canadian investigators claim Law sent about 1200 packages to more than 40 countries over a two year period.

He’s reportedly been linked to more than 100 suspected suicides in places like the United Kingdom, Germany, United States and Australia.

Coroner Cunninghame previously wrote that last August the Classification Office classified eight discussion threads from forums associated with Law as objectionable.

The Suicide Prevention Office consulted with New Zealand ISPs to request access to Law’s website was blocked based on that classification, she wrote in earlier findings.

Last November, another coroner made recommendations following a joint inquiry into the deaths of six people who died by suicide using the same substance, though not apparently connected to Law, Coroner Cunninghame added.

Various agencies, including Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, GPs, first responders, WorkSafe and the Environmental Protection Authority were alerted.

As a result of the inquiry, a working group was established to co-ordinate a joint approach to the sale of the substance, including online sales from overseas.

The group included Customs and the Ministry for the Environment.

Law's company no longer operates and he has been charged in Canada with 1st-degree murder.

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