'Suicide poison' chef caught supplying lethal substance as he's linked to 88 British deaths

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has now confirmed a formal investigation has been launched in connection to the British deaths.

As many as 232 Britons are thought to be Law’s customers with their details being passed on an Interpol list to the National Crime Agency from Canada.

Later investigations found that 88 of his customers had died.

The aerospace engineer-turned-chef is alleged to have supplied the poison to people around the world via a post office in Toronto.

He boasted to an undercover Times reporter that “many, many, many, many” people had died after taking the substance and explained how people believed he was doing “God’s work”.

He also admitted to having sent “hundreds” of packages filled with poison to people in the UK.

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The poison used is legal to sell and has other uses but coroners have repeatedly warned of its easy availability.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of those who have died,” Craig Turner, deputy director of the NCA, told The Times.

“They are being supported by specially trained officers from police forces.

“In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, the NCA has taken the decision to conduct an investigation into potential criminal offences committed in the UK.

“This operation is underway.”

The investigation comes after a baffling case of mushroom poisoning in Australia after three members of a family died after ingesting a meal made with deadly mushrooms.

Erin Patterson cooked and served a dish of Beef Wellington to her in-laws Gail and Don who died a week after ingesting the meal.

Gail’s sister Heather Wilkinson also died after ingesting the meal but her husband Ian, although being rushed to hospital in critical condition, is now in recovery.

Erin was arrested by police after the deaths but was later released without charge and has denied any wrongdoing over the meal.

She said in a statement: “I am now wanting to clear up the record because I have become extremely stressed and overwhelmed by the deaths of my loved ones.

“I am hoping this statement might help in some way. I believe if people understood the background more, they would not be so quick to rush to judgement.”

“I am now devastated to think that these mushrooms may have contributed to the illness suffered by my loved ones.“I really want to repeat that I had absolutely no reason to hurt these people whom I loved.”

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If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on the phone. You can reach them by calling 116 123, by emailing jo@samaritans.org or by visiting www.samaritans.org.