Stephen Gordon Mitchell Jr. was a young man with a tender, caring heart, known for giving bear hugs. His family described him as gentle, incredibly intelligent, loyal, and possessing a keen intellect. At 21 years old, Stephen was a wonderful son and brother living in the Toronto area of Ontario. He volunteered for a youth outreach ministry and had dreams for his future.
However, from his teenage years, Stephen also silently suffered from depression, a struggle he largely kept to himself so as not to be a burden to others. The isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic seemed to deepen his struggles, as he began spending more time online.
In early 2023, while navigating his mental health challenges, Stephen came into contact with a man who preyed on vulnerable individuals. Kenneth Law, a former chef from Mississauga, operated a lucrative international business from his home, selling a legal but lethal substance to people at risk of self-harm. Operating under aliases like "Greenberg" on pro-suicide forums, Law sold kits and offered advice, shipping more than 1,200 packages to 41 countries. On January 31, 2023, Stephen Mitchell Jr. purchased poison from one of Law's websites. The package arrived at his family's Toronto home on February 3.
On Saturday, March 25, 2023, Stephen’s brother, Ethan, found him deceased in his bed. At the scene, police discovered the package that had been mailed to Stephen, containing the poison. His family was initially in disbelief, thinking his death might have been an accident until they saw the mailed packet. Ethan later discovered his brother's computer search history, which revealed a trail of clues leading to the online forums where it is believed he was encouraged by Law. Stephen was one of the last Canadian victims to die before Law’s arrest, a fact that his family would later question, wondering why the business was allowed to operate for so long despite earlier deaths.
The investigation into Law's activities was a massive, multi-jurisdictional effort. His arrest in May 2023 came after international alarms were raised, largely by grieving families in other countries. Investigators found Law had shipped his products to at least 147 people worldwide who subsequently died. In Ontario, he was linked to 14 deaths, with victims ranging in age from 16 to 36. Law was initially charged with 14 counts of counselling or aiding suicide, which were later upgraded to first-degree murder before being addressed in a plea deal.
In May 2026, Kenneth Law pleaded guilty to 14 counts of counselling or aiding suicide. The murder charges were withdrawn as part of the plea agreement. During the sentencing hearings, which began in September 2026, families of the victims delivered powerful and heart-wrenching impact statements. Stephen Mitchell Sr. spoke directly to the court, and to Law, about the son who was stolen from him. He described Stephen Jr. as ill and in need of help, a vulnerable young man who was robbed of the chance to get well.
"He was ill, he needed help, and I tried my best to bring him that help," Stephen Sr. told the court. "Mr. Law robbed my son of that chance to be healed." He spoke of the dreams his son once had for his life, all of which were now gone while Law was still alive. The family credited the efforts of families abroad for sounding the alarm that finally led to Law's arrest, preventing further tragedies. The case highlighted the dangers of online predators and the accessibility of lethal substances, prompting calls from victims' families for a public inquiry to understand how Law was able to operate for so long. As of late 2026, Kenneth Law's sentencing was still ongoing.
