Fears more people could die after eight killed by poison in Greater Manchester

Police have traced 45 people in the UK and Europe who have died after taking the unnamed substance

A coroner has issued a warning over suicide websites after a poison bought online killed eight people in Greater Manchester.

Police have traced 45 people in the UK and Europe who have died after taking the unnamed substance and another 40 who had bought it intending to take their own lives in a 12 month period.

Details of a 'cluster' of deaths in Wigan, Bolton and Salford were revealed in eight prevention of future death reports issued by Timothy Brennand, the senior coroner for Manchester West.

Mr Brennand did not identify the poison except to say it was a food preservative and a 'reportable poison as well as a reportable explosives precursor'.

He wrote: "The police investigation into one UK based source of supply revealed in 247 cases separate supplies of 500 grams of less of [REDACTED] to customers in the UK and Europe, police established that 85 of these individuals who were traceable had either died as the consequence of self-ingestion of the substance, or had purchased it with a view to having the means to use this method to end their life."

Mr Brennand said the suppliers 'were not aware of this potential misuse of the substance'.

He added: "The small quantities being purchased had been incorrectly evaluated to be an increase in individuals pursuing recreational home-curing/food preservations as a hobby, being an artefact of 'lockdown' living following the COVID national pandemic emergency."

The coroner also warned about websites 'designed to aid, abet, assist or promote suicide methods'.

He wrote: "The police investigation revealed the ability of members of the public to access a number of websites, primarily created in the USA, Canada and Mexico that promoted information as to how to access: Poisons that could bring about death; How, in what way and with other necessary preparations (in particular -antiemetic medications) the poisons should be administered; Sourcing such poisons/chemicals/medications in the UK and abroad."

The eight people who died in Greater Manchester

The deaths included Kelly Walsh, 45, who took her own life after taking the substance, which she bought from an 'internet-based supplier in Lithuania', at her home in Atherton, Wigan, in February 2021. An inquest in 2023 heard Ms Walsh was a ‘bubbly’ and ‘determined’ woman, ‘whose smile lit up the room’.

Matthew O'Reilly, 18, from Berryhill, was described as the 'perfect son' at his inquest in August 2022. He was found dead in his student accommodation in Eddie Colman Courts in Salford on September 25, 2020, after taking the poison which he had bought online a few weeks earlier.

Samuel Dickenson, 33, from Leigh, took his own life after taking the chemicals at his flat on Wilkinson Street in March 2020. The father-of-two obtained the poison as part of a 'suicide pack' he bought online.

Matthew Price, 37, took his own life in June 2021 after ingesting the substance at his home on Rawcliffe Avenue, Bolton. An inquest in August 2022 heard he was worried about an ongoing custody battle, domestic issues and a police investigation when he decided to obtain a 'suicide kit' online.

Shaun Bass, from, Bolton, took his own life by taking the poison after searching for a 'fool proof method' to commit suicide. The 23-year-old learned of the chemical via the online suicide forums.

Andrew Brown, 45, died at his home in Wigan on August 9, 2023, after taking the substance. At least three 'consignments' of the poison were found among his possessions. His motives remain 'unclear', Mr Brennand wrote.

William Armstrong, 24, died in a hotel room in May 2021 after taking the substance while suffering from a psychotic illness. He had bought the poison online from a source in Russia.

Chantelle Williams 'deliberately ingested a significant but non-fatal' dose of the poison in 2019. Ms Williams, who had a 'complex medical history', checked into Salford Royal Hospital where she received treatment on the Keats Ward.

While at the hospital she managed to order and take two more doses of the poison and died as a result of the second incident in May 2020. In his conclusion Mr Brennand said her 'intentions remain unclear'.

Future deaths could occur, coroner warns

In the prevention of future deaths reports, addressed to the Home Office, Mr Brennand warned there was a 'risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken'.

He added: "The published guidance... does not give specific guidance or suggested training to sellers, particularly [REDACTED] acquired by members of the public, particularly over 'online marketplaces' in circumstances of the purchase on a 'one-off' basis for the means of self-harming.

"While there is a legal duty on persons selling this substance to report 'suspicious' transactions within 24 hours to the Home Office, the purchase of small quantities is being presumed to be connected to the many legitimate uses of the substance (such as food preservation, fertiliser etc) rather than in fact, being evaluated as a member of the public seeking purchase of modest quantities used as their chosen means by which to end life.

"The current Home Office guidance and supporting video, leaflet and posters do not reference [REDACTED] as a specific example of concern and focuses on the phenomenon of 'malicious' misuse and not deliberate misuse in the sense of suicide/self-harm."

The Home Office has 56 days to respond to the report.