Inquest adjourned for man who died buying poison online

An inquest into the death of a man who ingested poison he purchased online has been adjourned, pending a police investigation into whether he was encouraged to take his own life.

Thomas William Parfett, 22, discussed suicide in chat rooms and internet forums, and researched a poisonous substance online before acquiring it, an inquest at Surrey Coroner's Court was told.

His death on 28 October 2021 in Sunbury-on-Thames is being investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Area coroner Darren Stewart said the conclusion of the inquest would be delayed pending the outcome of the investigation.

"We know he (Mr Parfett) has acquired this poison and we know that he used it to take his own life," he said.

"There are serious questions about how he came to get that.

"There's no control on its importation or indeed its acquiring online and that's wrong, particularly when there is evidence that this substance is being used by people to take their lives."

Mr Parfett's inquest comes as Canadian chef Kenneth Law faces a murder trial in his home country in April 2026 for allegedly supplying poisonous chemicals to people around the world who have taken their own lives.

The NCA said it was investigating 109 deaths linked to the supply of poisonous substances through the online platforms.

An NCA spokesperson said: "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.

"Specialist officers from police forces continue to provide support to victims and families."

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