Kenneth Law now facing upgraded murder charges in Ontario sodium nitrite deaths: sources

Editor’s note: If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health there are a number of ways to get help, including by calling Talk Suicide Canada at 1-833-456-4566. A list of local crisis centres is also available here. 

Murder charges against Kenneth Law have been upgraded to the first degree, CTV News has learned.

Law, a former chef from Mississauga, was previously facing 14 second-degree murder charges for allegedly selling sodium nitrite online to people who died by suicide.

Two sources confirmed the news to CTV News Toronto Thursday evening.

Law was arrested in May after allegedly operating a number of online storefronts to sell sodium nitrite, a preservative used for meat processing that can be lethal in large doses, and additional products like rubber tubing and gas masks – for the purpose of suicide.

The alleged victims, ranging in age from 16 to 26, resided across Ontario, including Toronto, York Region, Durham Region, London, Ont., Thunder Bay, Waterloo and Peel Region. While police have not released information about the individuals, they have previously confirmed more than one is under the age of 18.

CTV News Toronto has reached out to Peel Regional Police, which is leading the multi-jurisdictional investigation, for comment.

With files from Jon Woodward