'Suicide kits' containing sodium nitrite mailed to Montreal residents, say police
Warning: This article contains mentions of suicide and suicidal ideation. Take care when reading.
Montreal police say they have opened an investigation into so-called "suicide kits" containing sodium nitrite allegedly being mailed to local residents by an Ontario man linked to 120 deaths worldwide.
Police said Monday the kits were allegedly prepared by Kenneth Law, 57, and mailed to addresses in the Montreal area.
Law, a trained engineer and former chef from Mississauga, Ont., was first charged in May in relation to two deaths in the Peel region and has been accused of aiding and abetting suicide by selling hoods, masks, and deadly concentrations of sodium nitrite online.
Encouraging or assisting someone to take their own life is a criminal offence in Canada.
Law has said he's not responsible for what people do with his products.
Montreal police said several names of different companies appear on the kits that were mailed out, including Academic/ACademic, Escape Mode/escMode, Imtime Cuisine, AmbuCA and ICemac.
"The SPVM is calling for vigilance, as the kits contain sodium nitrite powder, which can be fatal if ingested in large doses. It can also cause skin irritation if not handled with gloves," the force said in a news release.
Accounts from family members, media, and authorities worldwide have brought the total number of deaths that may be linked to Law to at least 120, according to tracking by CTV News Toronto.
With files from CTV News Toronto
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Joly, Blair condemn anti-NATO protest in Montreal that saw fires, smashed windows
Federal cabinet ministers condemned an anti-NATO protest in Montreal that turned violent on Friday, saying 'hatred and antisemitism' were on display.
Canada's top general takes on U.S. senator in defending womens' role in combat units
Canada's top general firmly rejected the notion of dropping women from combat roles — a position promoted by president-elect Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary — at a security forum underway in Halifax today.
Transit supervisor assaulted with 'torch' made of hairspray can and lighter: police
A Winnipeg man has been charged after a transit supervisor was assaulted with a makeshift torch in the city’s downtown area Friday morning.
Canada Post down eight million parcels amid strike as talk carry on over weekend
Canada Post says it has seen a shortage of more than eight million parcels amid the ongoing strike that has effectively shut down the postal system for nine days compared with the same period of 2023.
NEW Thinking about taking an 'adult gap year'? Here's what experts say you should know
Canadian employees are developing an appetite for an 'adult gap year': a meaningful break later in life to refocus, refresh and indulge in something outside their daily routine, according to experts.
'Her shoe got sucked into the escalator': Toronto family warns of potential risk of wearing Crocs
A Toronto family is speaking out after their 10-year-old daughter's Crocs got stuck in an escalator, ripping the entire toe area of the clog off.
Walking pneumonia is surging in Canada. Is it peaking now?
CTVNews.ca spoke with various medical experts to find out the latest situation with the typically mild walking pneumonia in their area and whether parents should be worried.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.
Prime Minister Trudeau attends Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Toronto with family
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a Swiftie. His office confirmed to CTV News Toronto that he and members of his family are attending the penultimate show of Taylor Swift's 'The Eras Tour' in Toronto on Friday evening.