Photo: Mike Lang / USA Today
SAN JOSE, California October 19, 2022 ~ Two families have filed lawsuits against Amazon for selling “suicide kits” that were used by teenagers to kill themselves in their homes.
The families of 16-year-old Kristine Jónsson and 17-year-old Ethan McCarthy did not realize sodium nitrate, a food preservative that is fatally toxic at high purity levels, was delivered to their door until it was already too late.
At low purity levels, sodium nitrite is used to cure deli meats, though if ingested at high levels, can cause trouble breathing, abdominal pains, and death.
PODCASTS:
October 19, 2022 ~ 760 WJR Senior News Analyst Marie Osborne speaks with Kevin and Tom about Amazon allegedly selling “suicide kits.”
“Amazon is selling a product that is as deadly as cyanide,” said C.A. Goldberg, PLCC Attorneys Carrie Goldberg and Naomi Leeds. “This is different from them selling rope, knives, or other implements that can be used for death because there is no household use for [sodium nitrite] at the level of purity (98-99%) it sells it.”
The complaint filed by the two attorneys in California state court alleges Amazon recommended customers to also purchase a scale to measure the correct dosage, a drug that hinders vomiting, and a handbook by Amazon on assisted suicide.
According to The New York Times, 10 people have killed themselves after purchasing the products on Amazon.
WJR TOP STORIES:
