A Canadian man accused of running a deadly online operation linked to suicides around the world is expected to plead guilty Friday in a chilling case that has shocked authorities across multiple countries.
Kenneth Law, 59, is set to appear in a Newmarket, Ontario, courtroom where he is expected to plead guilty to 14 counts of counseling or aiding suicide, according to his lawyer, Matthew Gourlay.
In exchange for the plea, prosecutors will drop 14 first-degree murder charges that had been hanging over the Toronto-area man.
Law has been at the center of an international investigation after police alleged he used a network of websites to sell sodium nitrite — a chemical commonly used to cure meats but potentially deadly if swallowed in large amounts.
Authorities believe Law shipped at least 1,200 packages to customers in more than 40 countries, including around 160 shipments within Canada alone.
Investigators in Canada, the United States, Britain, Italy, Australia and New Zealand have all linked the alleged operation to numerous deaths. Police say more than 100 suicides worldwide are being investigated in connection with the case.
The suspect’s charges involve 14 alleged victims in Ontario, ranging in age from just 16 to 36.
Law was arrested at his Mississauga home in May 2023 and has remained behind bars ever since.
The case sent shockwaves through Britain after police there revealed they were investigating the deaths of 88 people who had allegedly purchased products from Canada-based websites connected to Law.
A New Zealandancoroner also found four people who died by suicide had ordered products tied to Law’s business, though officials noted the accused falls outside New Zealand’s legal jurisdiction.
Under Canadian law, aiding or counseling suicide carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. A first-degree murder conviction, by contrast, comes with an automatic life sentence and no chance of parole for 25 years.
Canada legalized medically assisted dying in 2016 for eligible adults with serious illnesses or disabilities, but the process must be overseen by medical professionals and must follow strict legal safeguards.
Sentencing in Law’s case is expected later Friday.
