Canadian suspect behind man's death, says coroner

Thomas Lloyd was found dead at his mother's house in Colchester, the inquest in Chelmsford was told

A 29-year-old man killed himself after purchasing what a coroner described as a "suicide kit" from a criminal suspect in Canada, an inquest heard.

Thomas Lloyd was found dead at his mother's home in Stanley Wooster Way, Colchester, in June 2023.

The inquest into his death at Essex Coroner's Court on Thursday ruled he died from suicide.

The hearing was told Mr Lloyd purchased the lethal substance from Canadian man Kenneth Law, who has denied sending more than 1,200 fatal packages to about 40 countries.

Area coroner Michelle Brown mentioned Mr Law by name as she began Mr Lloyd's inquest in Chelmsford.

His mother rushed home on 20 June 2023 after Mr Lloyd sent her a concerning text about his welfare.

She found him unconscious in the living room at the property at the Greenstead estate. She called an ambulance but paramedics pronounced him dead at 23:33 BST.

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Four members of his family attended the inquest and the court was told he had been battling with his mental health for years.

He had been prescribed anti-depressants a month before his death, but was suffering from sleeplessness and nightmares.

Ms Brown explained how he first ordered one of the kits in March and told his mother.

Mr Lloyd's father said he called the police, who attended and seized the lethal substances.

He said it was "impossible to say" how his son then managed to get hold of a second kit.

Ms Brown added: "He either had it at the time [of his death] or he then reordered something, I don't know.

"He obviously wanted to end his life and this was available.

"It's very difficult to reconcile with this aspect [and how it] was allowed to happen."

Kenneth Law has been in custody since his arrest in May 2023

Ms Brown said Mr Law's alleged offending was having "far-reaching consequences" across the world.

The 59-year-old was arrested in May 2023 and Ms Brown told the inquest he was still being prosecuted.

British detectives have previously said 90 deaths in the UK were linked to Mr Law.

He is only accused of offences in Canada and has not been charged by UK authorities.

However, the National Crime Agency said it was investigating "potential criminal offences linked to the deaths of individuals in the UK who purchased items to assist with suicide from Canada-based websites".

A spokeswoman added: "Our investigation explores all viable leads linked to these websites and a Canadian suspect in order to identify evidence of crimes committed in the UK."

Police in Canada have been contacted for comment.