Grace Nevens, 22, is believed to have ingested a poison after taking part in an online ‘suicide forum’. She had been able to purchase the substance which caused her death.
The family a ‘kind and genuine’ student is calling for a police investigation into her suicide from a poison supplied online, a pre- inquest review heard today. Leeds University graduate Grace Nevens, 22, is believed to have ingested a substance after taking part in conversations on an online ‘suicide forum’. The hearing at County Hall in her hometown of Morpeth, Northumberland, was told that she had been able to purchase the substance which caused her death. Senior coroner Andrew Hetherington said that he was aware of investigations into a ‘Canadian gentleman’ following murder charges against Kenneth Law. He is a former chef from Toronto who allegedly sent 1,200 packages to customers in more than 40 countries from late 2020. The National Crime Agency has linked him to 99 deaths in the UK.
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Grace’s parents Sharon and Neil and sister Lucy listened intently as their barrister Alison Seaman said that her loved ones were keen for her death to be investigated by police.
Ms Seaman said: “They are extremely concerned if there is not to be a criminal investigation. It is difficult for the family to understand as there is evidence of a transaction whereby Grace obtained [named substance].
“It is likely there is evidence that the person selling it to her knew what she was planning to do. She frequented a suicide forum and she was able to engage in conversations around suicide. The evidence from treating clinicians is that Grace was suffering a crisis in her mental health.
“She was 22 years old and they anticipated that she would be able to recover. She was being treated with medication in anticipation that it would work and she would get through.
“She was very vulnerable and it was unclear if she had the capacity to end her own life. With all the information they have available, the family fails to understand why there is no criminal investigation. There is no rational, there is no explanation, that is what is missing for the family.”
At the pre inquest review, Mr Hetherington said that Northumbria Police and the National Crime Agency had informed him that Grace’s death was not part of a criminal investigation. But the hearing was told that the family believes that Grace’s death may still be part of an inquiry by the Met Police.
Sharon and the Molly Rose Foundation recently called for a public inquiry into a pro-suicide forum and a substance it promotes, which has been linked to hundreds of deaths in the UK.
The family want the inquest into her death to cover whether paramedics carry the antidote to the substance. The coroner heard that they had provided evidence of packaging from the substance found in Grace’s room when the paramedics arrived within two minutes of the 999 call being made on November 4, 2024.
Last year, Leeds Athletics Society, where Grace was a member, revealed its plans to honour the former Leeds University student, and raise awareness of mental health and suicide, by running 22km in 22 hours. Grace had been a member of the Leeds Athletics Society whilst studying Drama at Leeds University.
Caitlin Minns, a member of Leeds Athletics Society, close friend of Grace and organiser of the 22 for Grace, paid tribute to her. She said: “Since Grace had been with us for 22 years, I thought we could run 22km in 22 hours for those 22 years she was alive.
“Grace was so funny, always up for a laugh. But she was also the kind of girl that nothing was ever too much for, if it meant she was helping someone else. She was so giving and if she could help anyone in any way she would.”
A provisional date for the inquest into her death was set for March 5 and 6 next year. Law was arrested by Canadian police in May 2022, and is currently awaiting trial for 14 counts each of first-degree murder and aiding suicide in January 2026, according to CBC.
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
