{
  "id": 9596505,
  "title": "'It has broken us as a family,' mother of poison seller victim tells hearing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/it-has-broken-us-as-a-family-mother-of-poison-seller-victim-tells",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-24T17:49:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm20ldvx9xlxo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tanya Whitaker, mother of British victim Samuel, testified during the sentencing hearing of Kenneth Law, a poison seller who has admitted to aiding suicide in Canada but is also linked to nearly 80 deaths in the UK. Samuel, a University of Warwick student, died alone outside his university halls after taking poison sold by Law. His mother described how the death of her son had \"broken\" their family and herself, as they will \"never be able to forgive ourselves for this happening.\"\n\nDebbie Cornish, mother of another victim Danielle, echoed Tanya's sentiments, saying her family is still struggling to stay together years after her daughter's death. Law pleaded guilty to 14 counts of aiding suicide in Canada but has been linked to nearly 80 deaths in the UK, for which he will not face charges due to a plea deal with Canadian authorities. The impact statements from families are being read during the four-day sentencing hearing.\n\nFaith George, mother of Faith Ike-Elechi, described her daughter's death as a constant nightmare that echoes in her mind every day. Maurice Dunham, father of Michael Dunham, said he blamed himself for not stopping his son from returning home early from a family holiday in Croatia. Yeanu Mistry's mother described hearing the news of her son's death as the \"news every parent fears.\" Maureen Cooper, mother of Gary Cooper, called the pain of losing her son \"unbearable.\"\n\nA British survivor, Elisabeth Belien, testified that she felt guilty for surviving the poison and that it had impacted her loved ones. She expressed feelings of shame for being exploited.",
  "summary": "Tanya Whitaker broke down before she spoke of how her son Samuel's death had devastated her family.",
  "key_points": [
    "Tanya Whitaker, Samuel's mother, said the death broke their family",
    "Debbie Cornish, Danielle's mother, said her family struggles to stay together",
    "Maurice Dunham, Michael Dunham's father, blamed himself for not stopping son"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CBC News",
        "title": "11-year-old girl still texts her father after his suicide, mother tells poison seller's sentencing hearing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/11-year-old-girl-still-texts-her-father-after-his-suicide-mother",
        "published": "2026-09-24T13:37:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}