Mother of British suicide victim condemns Canadian chemical seller in plea deal
Quick Look
Louise Nunn, mother of British woman Imogen Nunn who died by suicide after buying toxic chemicals online, condemned Canadian man Kenneth Law, who admitted aiding 14 suicides in Canada but avoided UK charges via a plea deal, saying he should 'rot in hell' and criticizing the redaction of her victim impact statement.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Kenneth Law sold toxic chemicals to individuals in online suicide forums, leading to deaths in multiple countries including the UK. He pleaded guilty in Canada to 14 counts of aiding suicide as part of a plea deal that prevented UK prosecution.
A 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.
Imogen's mother, Louise Nunn, told the BBC she was angry he would not face justice here. "I think we've been let down as families. Our children have been let down," she told the BBC.
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.
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."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
UK families will continue to advocate for legal reforms to allow prosecution of transnational suicide-aid cases.
Likely · Within months
The sentencing of Kenneth Law in Canada will proceed later this year, incorporating UK victim impact statements.
Very likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Why did Canadian authorities accept a plea deal that excludes UK charges?
- Will the redaction of Louise Nunn's impact statement be reviewed or challenged?
- Are there ongoing investigations into Law's activities in other countries?
