A 21-year-old university student died by suicide in January 2023 after purchasing a chemical online from Kenneth Law, a Canadian dealer described as a "poison king" who has been linked to 79 deaths in the United Kingdom. The inquest into Joshua Warner's death heard that he had decided to end his life a month prior and researched poisons before buying the substance from Law.
Warner, a psychology student at the University of Portsmouth, received the poison at his university halls. Law, who posed as a doctor but was a chef, sold the substance to Warner for C$81.72 (£45). The National Crime Agency (NCA) tracked Law through a company and website connected to Warner's payment. An NCA officer, Anna Smith, stated that Law supplied 330 products to the UK from Canada, which were linked to his PayPal account and directly contributed to 79 deaths.
Law, now 60, has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting suicide in Canada. Mr. Warner's name is expected to be added to the criminal case against him. Law is scheduled for sentencing next month. The substance that caused Warner's death was identified in court but excluded from reports due to guidelines on reporting suicide. While the chemical is available in the UK, it is not sold to individuals.
Warner's father, Dr. Graham Warner, described his son as a "brilliant wordsmith" who was "too clever, too thoughtful, too trapped in his own thoughts." His mother, Stephanie Warlow, noted he was a "very closed book" and she was unaware of the extent of his mental health struggles. The area coroner for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton, Nicholas Walker, concluded that Warner intended to take his own life.
Coroner Walker stated that professionals treating Warner could not have predicted or prevented his suicide, as he had indicated he was feeling better and his medication was working days before his death. He noted that Warner was intelligent and able to conceal his inner turmoil. The coroner also highlighted that it took the "dogged perseverance" of Dr. Warner to ensure his son received a medical assessment a month before his death, suggesting that such an assessment should not depend on a father's persistent efforts.
Warner suffered from borderline personality disorder, ADHD, and depression. His GP surgery, NHS trusts, and the University of Portsmouth have identified "areas of learning" following his death, though not all were directly linked to his suicide. Law, who supplied products linked to 79 deaths in Britain, is due to be sentenced next month.