The Kenneth Law case now involves 11 Ontario police forces

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

Peel police are asking the public to be on the alert for items containing sodium nitrite, including hoods and masks, as investigations into online sales of the deadly substance continue.

In a video posted to YouTube on Friday, Peel Police provided an update on their investigation into Kenneth Law, the Mississauga man accused of selling sodium nitrite and other hazardous materials to customers at risk of suicide.

“Investigators are asking community members to be alert to packaging or labels identifying sodium nitrite, including hoods and/or masks that could be used to harm themselves,” Peel police said in the video.

Police have released the names of a number of companies involved in the investigation, including Academic/ACademic, AmbuCA, ICemac, Escape Mode/escMode and Imtime Cuisine.

“We are concerned that community members may be in possession of these items and ask everyone to be vigilant for online transactions from your loved ones from these well-known companies,” police said.

Investigators allege that Law, who has been charged with two counts of counseling or assisted suicide, used a number of online storefronts to sell sodium nitrite.

Websites associated with Law also appeared to sell rubber hoses, gas masks and other hazardous materials that could be used for suicide, and telephone consultations with Law were also advertised on the sites, police said.

According to investigators, Law may have sent packages of suicide instruments to as many as 40 countries, and companies associated with Law are also frequently referenced on a popular pro-suicide forum.

A total of 11 police departments from across Ontario are now involved in the investigation into the law, Peel Police said Friday.

At least two deaths in Peel Region have been linked to consumption of sodium nitrite, police have said, and investigators in Durham Region confirmed last month that homicide detectives in their jurisdiction are trying to determine whether a 2022 sudden death investigation involving sodium nitrite related to the lawsuit.

Police in the Toronto and York area have previously confirmed that officers in their respective jurisdictions are investigating sudden deaths that may be related to the law investigation.

Law is due to appear in court on June 23 for a bail hearing.

With files from The Canadian Press