Authorities have made significant breakthroughs in a chilling investigation into an alleged “end of life” business thought to be linked to approximately 20 deaths across three states. The operation came to light following the death of a 43-year-old man who was found to have succumbed to a veterinary euthanasia drug.
Brett Daniel Taylor, a 53-year-old Gold Coast resident, has been charged by Queensland police with two counts of aiding suicide, along with multiple drug offenses, including trafficking dangerous drugs. Det Insp Mark Mooney, leading the investigation, emphasized the severity of the case, stating that Taylor allegedly targeted vulnerable individuals and exploited them during their most desperate times.
Notably, Taylor was not a licensed veterinarian; authorities allege he illegally accessed euthanasia drugs through a purported charity aimed at euthanizing whales. Investigators claim this charity had never operated legitimately.
The police’s inquiry has revealed that circumstances surrounding the deaths extend back to 2021, with indications that Taylor’s business may have played a role in numerous fatalities, some occurring outside of Queensland’s southeast region. The alleged services offered by this business purportedly included assisting individuals in dying within their homes, providing them with “suicide kits,” arranging their wills, and even finding deceased individuals.
In a significant discovery, bottles of the euthanasia drug pentobarbitone were located at Taylor’s mother’s residence in Victoria. Law enforcement is also extending its scrutiny to New South Wales, as investigations unfold.
According to Det Insp Mooney, the business reportedly resold the euthanasia drug at prices “significantly more” than the wholesale cost. “We will allege he hasn’t acted compassionately at all. This is a business transaction for him…just for pure money,” he commented.
The probe began after the April death of a Gold Coast man, whose postmortem revealed he had died from the veterinary drug. While the deceased had been battling long-term medical issues, investigators noted that his health conditions did not qualify for Queensland’s voluntary assisted dying laws. It is believed that he and his family had engaged the services of the suspect’s operation prior to his death.
In addition to Taylor, his 80-year-old father and an 81-year-old woman not related to them are also implicated in the alleged operations of this business and face various charges, including drug trafficking and aiding suicide.
Authorities are actively urging individuals who have had interactions with a company known as End of Life Services to step forward, as the investigation continues. While voluntary assisted dying is legal in Queensland, it is strictly monitored and requires adherence to specific regulatory processes. The potential repercussions for aiding suicide include a life sentence in prison.
Forebodingly, the Queensland coroner has indicated an urgent need for reform, labeling the state’s euthanasia laws as “inadequate” and cautioning that without changes, “further calamity and heartbreak” could ensue.
