July 21st 2024.
The tragic death of a New Zealand man has sparked concerns and calls for action to prevent further suicides. The man, who had purchased a deadly substance from the notorious "poison chef" Kenneth Law, passed away in 2022. As the NZ Coroner prepares to release four findings related to Law, who is currently facing a murder trial in Canada next year, his family is urging for restrictions to be put in place to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
Law, who resides in Canada, has been under investigation for allegedly sending over 1200 packages to more than 40 countries in a span of two years. Shockingly, he has been linked to over 100 suspected suicides in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, and Australia. While it is still unknown if there are other deaths in New Zealand that can be connected to Law, it has been confirmed that three young people in the country have passed away after ordering from a business associated with him.
One of these young individuals was Liana Kirk, who tragically died in November 2022 after ordering a package from a website linked to Law. Another victim was Otago University student Crow Grant, who was only 18 when they were found dead in their residential college room in April 2022. Nicholas Heyworth, a 21-year-old student at Victoria University, also sadly passed away in May 2022. And just two months later, 40-year-old personal trainer James Plunket, who was the half-brother of broadcaster Sean Plunket, was discovered deceased in a hotel room after purchasing a lethal substance from a website connected to Law.
The Plunket family, still grieving the loss of their loved one, expressed their sadness and concern over the easy accessibility of these dangerous substances. James' younger brother Jack stated, "We're really sad that he was in a position where he felt he needed to make this order, and it is upsetting that he was able to get hold of it so easily." He also emphasized the need for better regulation and control over the importation of such substances, as well as stricter measures against websites that promote and sell them.
In her findings, Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame mentioned that Plunket had ordered an item from a business connected to Law a couple of weeks before his death. She ruled his death as a suicide, stating that it was a carefully planned act that required him to obtain the substance and book a hotel room for the process. Jack Plunket, while acknowledging the efforts being made to regulate the sale of these substances, hopes that mental health professionals and agencies are also made aware of the dangers and signs of suicide.
In August 2022, the Classification Office classified eight discussion threads from forums associated with Law as objectionable. This led to the Suicide Prevention Office consulting with New Zealand ISPs to block access to Law's website. And in November, another coroner made recommendations following an inquiry into the deaths of six individuals who had taken their own lives using the same substance, not necessarily linked to Law. As a result, a working group was formed to address the issue and co-ordinate efforts to regulate the sale and importation of these substances.
While Law's activities are outside the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Courts, Coroner Cunninghame wrote that she hoped her recommendations would help prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The Plunket family, however, wants to focus on remembering James and advocating for better mental health support and awareness. They described James as someone who was passionate about music, particularly house music, and helping others improve their health as a personal trainer. Still, his death was a result of his struggles with mental health and addiction, which he sought help for before his passing.
After being discharged from the hospital for a drug-induced psychotic episode in January 2022, James was under the care of addiction services and mental health professionals. Coroner Cunninghame stated that she was satisfied with the care provided to him, but Jack Plunket wonders if more could have been done. He believes that his brother was given all the help he could get, but unfortunately, it was not enough to save him.
While New Zealand Police did not confirm if they are assisting in the Canadian investigation into Law's activities, they stated that they work with international counterparts on matters related to the law on a case-by-case basis. Peel Regional Police, the Canadian force leading the investigation, declined to comment on the case's specifics to protect its integrity. As this tragic story continues to unfold, there is a pressing need to address the issue of mental health and the availability of deadly substances online. Readers seeking support can reach out to organizations like Lifeline or Beyond Blue for help and guidance.
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