Woman killed herself with poison she bought off Amazon after making suicide pact
A woman took her own life with a lethal substance she bought Amazon after joining an online forum that 'encouraged' suicide, an inquest has heard.
Chloe Macdermott, 43, made an agreement to take her own life with fellow members of the pact - including one who was also British - by using an unnamed 'product' ordered on Amazon from the United States.
Now, Paul Rogers, Assistant Coroner of Inner West London, has written to US tech giants Google and Amazon, to raise the alarm over the access people have to such websites and the ease with which such lethal substances can be purchased.
The inquest in May heard that Mrs Macdermott had been 'struggling with her mental health for some years prior to her death'.
She had become 'increasingly suicidal' and she used the internet to research ways to end her life.
It was heard that Mrs Macdermott had been 'struggling with her mental health for some years prior to her death (muchloved.com)
The 43-year-old became 'increasingly suicidal' and she used the internet to research ways to end her life (muchloved.com)Mr Rogers said: "On or about 21st May 2021 she formed an association with two other persons with whom she planned to end her life" . "She had purchased [redacted], using Amazon US. On 22nd May 2021 whilst her husband was away from home, she contacted the persons she had discussed committing suicide with and an agreement was made to act that night."
The coroner added: "Chloe died in the early hours of 23rd May 2021 from the effects of [redacted] toxicity on her bed in her home."
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The coroner concluded Mrs Macdermott died by suicide. In a Prevention of Future Deaths report, Mr Rogers highlighted that the unnamed website used by Mrs Macdermott had no age, or other restrictions, in place to prevent access to children, vulnerable teenagers and vulnerable adults.
He also flagged how there was no 'prominent signposting' offering help and there was a lack of 'effective administration' removing the harmful content on the website. Mr Rogers also questioned how Mrs Macdermott was able to purchase, and later ingest, a product - the nature of which is redacted in his report - on Amazon which caused her to die.
Mr Rogers raised concerns over the 'availability' of such products on the internet and how they could be purchased from the United States for individual use - without 'effective border and/or custom controls'. As well as writing to the Vice Presidents of Google and Amazon, he has sent his report to Home Secretary James Cleverley, Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, Culture Secretary Lucy Fraser and the police. They have until February to respond to his concerns.
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch
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