Tyler Bryson, a 34-year-old professional commercial pilot, was a man whose life touched many people, leaving behind a legacy of cherished memories for his family, friends, and colleagues. His death on May 1, 2023, was a profound loss that rippled through his community in Ontario, a tragedy made even more incomprehensible by the circumstances that led to it.
Tyler was one of 14 people in the province, and many more around the world, who died after being targeted by a man who operated a global business selling poison to vulnerable individuals.
The man responsible for Tyler's death was Kenneth Law, a former chef from Mississauga, Ontario. Operating from his home, Law ran a series of websites used to market and sell sodium nitrite, a chemical compound commonly used for curing meat that is lethal when ingested in high concentrations. Between 2020 and his arrest in May 2023, Law shipped at least 1,200 packages containing the poison to more than 40 countries, including nearly 160 within Canada. His operation is suspected of being linked to at least 147 deaths worldwide. Law didn't just sell the substance; he actively participated in online forums, sometimes using the alias "Greenberg," where he encouraged people to end their lives using his products.
The investigation into Law began in the spring of 2023 after police in Peel Region investigated a sudden death and news reports from the United Kingdom linked him to a global operation. This led to Law's arrest in May 2023 and a massive international effort to trace the packages he had sent. Initially, Law was charged with two counts of counselling or aiding suicide, but as the scale of his actions became clearer, the charges mounted. He was eventually charged with 14 counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths across Ontario, including Tyler's. The victims ranged in age from 16 to 36.
The legal path to justice was complex. A separate court ruling made it impossible for the Crown to proceed with the murder charges against Law. In a plea deal reached in May 2026, the murder charges were withdrawn, and Law pleaded guilty to 14 counts of counselling or aiding suicide. As part of his sentencing, prosecutors are also considering his role in 79 deaths in the United Kingdom. The maximum sentence for aiding suicide in Canada is 14 years in prison.
During Law's sentencing hearing in September 2026, the devastating impact of his actions was laid bare as families of the victims shared their stories. In a statement read to the court, Tyler's father, Greg Bryson, spoke of the immense void left by his son's death. "Mr. Law broke all our hearts," he said. "Yes, Tyler will live on in our hearts forever, but Mr. Law knowingly took actions to steal something so precious in all our lives." He lamented that Law had preyed on people at their lowest moments, robbing families of the chance to intervene and help their loved ones.
In the wake of their loss, Tyler's family and friends came together to create a lasting memorial. A fundraiser was established to place a bench in Diefenbaker Park, a place that held special meaning for Tyler and his family, offering a space for reflection and remembrance. The sentencing for Kenneth Law is still ongoing, as the justice system continues to grapple with the unprecedented nature and global reach of his crimes.
