Ontario man pleads guilty to selling lethal substances online to 40+ countries

Kenneth Law, accused of operating a deadly online enterprise, pleaded guilty Friday to 14 counts of aiding suicide after prosecutors withdrew murder charges against the 60-year-old Ontario man.

Law was scheduled to stand trial on 14 counts each of first-degree murder and aiding suicide related to people between ages 16 and 36 across Ontario. His lawyer indicated last month that the murder charges would be withdrawn in exchange for guilty pleas on the lesser charges.

Police allege Law ran multiple websites used to sell sodium nitrite and other substances capable of causing self-harm. Court documents indicate he shipped approximately 1,200 packages to people in more than 40 countries, including the United Kingdom, where several deaths were connected to substances sourced from his operations.

Families of deceased victims in the UK said the country's National Crime Agency and Crown Prosecution Service informed them that Law would not face charges there, citing the length of extradition proceedings and the likelihood that any Canadian sentence would be comparable to British penalties.

The guilty plea resolution removes the risk of a lengthy trial while resolving the most serious charges. Sentencing is expected to follow.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, support is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988, Canada's national suicide prevention helpline.