Amazon won’t ban suicide book my girl used to kill herself MUM’S FURY AT INTERNET GIANT
AMAZON has refused to remove a step-by-step suicide book used by at least two Britons to kill themselves.
The heartbroken mother of one victim today makes a final heartfelt plea to the online shopping giant to stop others like her daughter from dying.
The book, which the Sunday People is not naming on the advice of the Samaritans, contains hundreds of diagrams and details on how to get hold of your own “kill yourself kit”.
It is still available despite a coroner condemning the “disturbing” text back in 2013.
Vulnerable Toni Haw, 19, took an overdose following specific instructions in the £30 paperback.
Her 30- year- old boyfriend Alan Hutchinson killed himself using the same method less than a month after Toni’s funeral.
Speaking for the first time since her death, Toni’s mum Hilary, from York, said: “Amazon needs to stop selling it. I couldn’t believe this book even existed. I remember going into Toni’s room after it all happened and finding the book in her drawer.
“I only flicked through it at first, not sure what it was. But then I saw these horrible pictures and I knew she had got hold of something really bad.
“My son was there at the time and I just passed it to him and said, ‘Is this what I think it is?’
“There were s t r ange instruments and things in the drawer too. I didn’t look too closely but I can only imagine what they were. We called the police straight away and handed everything over.”
The book was part of the evidence at the inquest on Toni and her boyfriend.
York coroner Donald Coverdale, who returned an open verdict on Toni and one of suicide on Alan, said during his ruling: “It is a very, very disturbing book and I am deeply shocked it is possible to acquire a book like this.
“If Toni Haw had not had access to this publication she may not have taken the overdose which ended her life.”
Incredibly, since her death a second edition has been issued, containing more diagrams and a list of suppliers for the instruments or components needed in each suicide method.
On the shopping website the 750-page book is described as “dispatched from and sold by Amazon” with a “gift- wrap” option available.
Campaigners against suicide and euthanasia have blasted Amazon and say they could even be breaking the law by selling it in Britain.
“This is utterly deplorable,” said Alistair Thompson, of the Care Not Killing organisation. “The Government, the NHS and many other organisations have been working hard to cut down on suicide in Britain.
“It beggars belief that an organisation the size of Amazon, with its money and resources, engages in such an irresponsible act as selling a book such as this.
“They should also question the legality of selling it because assisting suicide is illegal in the UK.” The book states that it is not for people with depression there is a way out that should and suggests helplines for those not be an option. The book who may have a mental illness makes it seem rational. It is not. or emotional problems. “We live with the devastation But it does market ket itself as a of this every day.” guide for euthanasia, asia, She said people which can be treated ed s ho hould also be It is utterly as homicide de st s t opped f r om under UK K g getting drugs so deplorable that this law. easily on the Hilary internet. disturbing book is described “Loads of Toni as a places are selling on sale “happy, lovely ly medication that girl” who did well yo you should only be at s c hool l but abl able to get with a struggled with social prescriptio prescription,” she said. “I anxiety from the age of 15. believe Toni had these sent to a friend’s house because I hadn’t She added: “It is so got a clue she had them.”Amazon dangerous to put this declined to comment. information out there. It makes people who are suffering feel as though