UK Survivor Testifies Against Canadian Poison Seller in Court

A British woman, Elisabeth Belien, testified against Kenneth Law, a Canadian man who sold toxic substances to individuals he met in online suicide forums. During the four-day sentencing hearing in Ontario, Canada, Belien described how Law exploited her vulnerability when she was 23 years old. She stated that she had struggled with her mental health for a long time and that Law made it easier for her to act on her despair. Belien, who survived after receiving medical treatment, expressed feelings of survivor's guilt upon learning of others' deaths linked to Law's actions. Law has admitted to 14 counts of aiding suicides in Canada, with nearly 80 deaths in the UK also connected to him. As part of a plea deal, he will not face charges in the UK. Family members of victims have also provided impact statements during the hearing. David Parfett, whose son Tom died in October 2021, shared his ongoing struggle with mental health after his son's death. Statements from other victims' families highlighted the emotional toll of their losses. Law was arrested in May 2023 following an investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies from various countries.