A BBC investigation has uncovered that a Ukrainian man named Leonid Zakutenko has been illegally supplying a deadly chemical to customers in the UK for years, with the substance linked to at least 130 deaths. The chemical, which the BBC is not naming, is the same one supplied by Canadian Kenneth Law, who was arrested last year and is now facing 14 murder charges.
Through an undercover operation, the BBC tracked Zakutenko down to his home in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he denied the allegations. However, evidence shows he has been actively selling the chemical on suicide forums since 2020. He claims to ship five packages per week internationally. The chemical is legally sold for industrial use but not for human consumption, and suppliers are required to screen customers’ intended purposes.
Families of victims are outraged. Twin sisters Linda and Sarah, who died in London last year, obtained the poison from Zakutenko after finding his details online. Their sister Helen Kite said Linda was given “easy access to a ‘death kit'” and described the loss as devastating. UK pathologist Amardeep Ahluwalia tested 187 cases related to the chemical and found 71% had toxic levels, indicating at least 133 deaths resulted from ingestion.
David Parfett, whose son Tom bought the chemical from Kenneth Law and died by suicide in 2021, is campaigning for shutdown of the online forum where these substances are promoted and sellers like Zakutenko are stopped. UK authorities have been aware of the issue since at least 2020 but more action is demanded. When Parfett recently ordered from Zakutenko as a test, he received the package within weeks despite a police welfare check. More robust policing of online suppliers is being called for to curb this harm.
The case has raised serious questions around regulating access to lethal substances. While the chemical remains legal for industry, its misuse has cost many lives. Stronger restrictions on irresponsible online distributors may help prevent further tragedies.
