A British woman, one of the survivors of Canadian poison seller Kenneth Law, faced him in court on Wednesday to describe how he had exploited her vulnerability.
Elisabeth Belien, who had been at her lowest ebb when she purchased toxic chemicals at 23, explains that law’s easy access to lethal substances amplified her mental‑health struggles. She states that, after receiving an antidote from medics, she physically recovered but remained psychologically scarred.
The court hearing highlighted that Kenneth Law had admitted 14 counts of aiding suicides in Canada, but the reach of his illegal distribution extends to the United Kingdom, where nearly 80 deaths have been linked to his packages.
Under a plea deal with Canadian authorities, Law will not face charges for any British deaths, though family impact statements will continue to be read at the sentencing hearing. These statements shed light on the profound grief endured by victims’ loved ones.
"I had struggled with my mental health for a long time before this. Kenneth Law made it a lot easier to act on that despair," Belien told the court.
"I continue to struggle with intrusive thoughts and flashbacks of that day. I feel guilty for surviving... I still feel a lot of shame about what happened."
David Parfett, father of Thomas who bought poison from Law, told the court, "Since Tom died, I’ve struggled with my mental health. I didn’t properly mourn him because I focused on exposing the harm caused by platforms that allowed Law to provide suicide chemicals to vulnerable people.”
Parents of other victims, such as Ashleigh Harris and Henry Tucker, also spoke, emphasizing that these deaths could have been prevented if better supports had been offered instead of lethal substances.
Beyond the immediate human tragedy, the case raises urgent questions about the regulation of harmful chemicals. With jurisdictions across 40 countries implicated and a noticeable share of packages sent to the UK, there is a clear need for stricter oversight, improved reporting mechanisms, and public education about the environmental hazards of improperly handled toxic substances.
For organizations and individuals affected by this crisis, resources and support are available via relevant action lines and helplines. As the hearing continues, the hope is that new policies will emerge to safeguard both human life and the integrity of our shared environment.
