The family of a New Zealand man who died after buying a lethal substance from the so-called poison chef Kenneth Law want restrictions in place to stop further suicides.
It comes as the NZ Coroner on Monday releases four findings officially connected to Law, who faces a murder trial in Canada next year.
Law lives in Canada and local investigators there claim he has 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, the United States and Australia.
Stuff has been told it’s unknown whether there are other deaths in New Zealand with links to Law.
He has not been charged in relation to any cases in New Zealand, which include three young people.
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 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 James 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.
“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,” Jack Plunket, James’ younger brother, told Stuff.
“It feels like it was a bit too easy. I just think the importation of this substance needs to be better regulated.
“It should be much harder to access those kinds of websites.”
In her findings, Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame said police determined Plunket ordered an item online from a business connected to Law a couple of weeks before his death.
She ruled his death was suicide.
“He had become aware of Mr Law and the resources he offered online. The suicide was carefully planned, because it required James to obtain [the substance], and to book a hotel where he could carry out the process in private,” Cunninghame wrote.
Jack Plunket said his family wanted to see better regulation of the substance, particularly around imports, as recommended by coroner Cunninghame.
“It needs to be recognised that this is something that people may try to take their own lives with, so that hopefully this won’t happen to another family,” he said.
“ISPs need to be more vigilant about blocking access to these kinds of websites.”
Coroner Cunninghame 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 said in her 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.
“Mr Law lives in Canada. His activities are outside the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Courts and I do not make any recommendations that are directed towards his activities,” Cunninghame wrote.
Jack Plunket said he hoped people working in mental health were made aware of the danger.
“It’s sad that they can only make these changes too late for James and for those other people.”
The Plunket family was “not interested” in Law and wanted to focus on James.
“James’ suicide was his final choice – we wish he had not made that choice, we’re not really interested in whether this guy [Law] is guilty of murder or any punishment.”
James was “really into house music”. He put on some events in the past, and DJ-ed a lot, his brother said.
“He worked as a personal trainer and was really passionate about helping people … improve their health.”
Coroner Cunninghame found James Plunket had separated from his wife of 17 years and had had trouble finding stable accommodation. He was living in a room at the Wellington City Mission at the time of his death.
In January 2022, he had a drug-induced psychotic episode, and was hospitalised for a period.
He was under the care of addiction services and mental health professionals after being discharged.
Coroner Cunnighame said she was satisfied that the care provided to Plunket was of an acceptable standard.
“I’m not sure if more could have been done,” Jack Plunket said.
“He was given all the help he could be given, unfortunately that wasn’t enough.”
New Zealand Police would not confirm whether it’s assisted its Canadian counterparts investigating laws activities.
“New Zealand Police works with our international counterparts on a range of matters to do with the maintenance of the law, as required and on a case-by-case basis,” a spokeswoman said.
She would not confirm whether New Zealand Police itself was investigating any individuals in relation to the Kenneth Law case.
Peel Regional Police, the Canadian force investigating Law, would not comment on specific details of the case when approached by Stuff.
“In order to protect the integrity of this complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation, we are not able to release specific details at this time.”
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Story by Tony Wall, Nick Truebridge and Ryan Anderson. This article was originally published on Stuff.co.nz and has been reproduced here with permission.
