Man jailed for assisting suicides preyed on vulnerable

Man Jailed for Assisting Suicide by Selling Lethal Substance

A man who admitted to assisting suicide by selling a substance online for £100 to four people has been described by police as a “predator” preying on vulnerable individuals at their lowest times.

Miles Cross, 33, from Wrexham, was sentenced at Mold Crown Court after pleading guilty to four counts of assisting or encouraging suicide.

Police Statement on the Case

Assistance Chief Constable Gareth Evans of North Wales Police stated, “I think it’s important to say that two people have passed away linked to this investigation. North Wales Police recognizes the dreadful impact this has had on their families and friends and highlights the seriousness of Cross’s actions.”

Evans added, “It’s unique to North Wales Police in terms of our experiences, in terms of somebody who has no connection to people with suicidal ideation, using that vulnerability to specifically target them, especially for financial gain.”

Details of the Offense

Cross set up a business on an internet discussion forum and interacted under a pseudonym. This allowed people to order the substance directly from him and pay £100 via his bank account. The chemical was then sent through the post, leading to two people taking their own lives.

North Wales Police began their investigation after a referral from Thames Valley Police, which was looking into a suicide in their area. The deceased had used a lethal substance linked to Cross.

Investigation Findings

Evans explained, “We then put a team on to investigate it. The initial concern was to establish how many packs Cross had distributed and how many people might be at risk.”

Financial and online inquiries revealed that Cross distributed four packages, charging £100 each. He directed buyers via a QR code to a forum based in the United States and encouraged them to pursue their suicidal thoughts.

Collaboration with Other Agencies

Evans noted that police, in collaboration with the National Crime Agency and Ofcom, made the specific forum used by Cross in the US less accessible from the UK.

One victim, who purchased the substance but did not take her own life, felt preyed upon by Cross. Evans emphasized, “It’s a stark message of how serious his offending was, but it also is a message of hope.”

He encouraged anyone affected by this case to seek support from organizations like Samaritans and to avoid online forums where they might encounter predators like Cross.