Amazon “suicide kits” have led to teen deaths, according to new lawsuit

The lawyers who are representing the parents of teenagers who died by suicide say they have reached a point of no return.

The online retailer had a right to sell these kits, according to the parents. A book with instructions on how to use the chemical to attempt suicide, a scale to measure a lethal dose, and a drug to prevent vomiting are some of the things that are included in the kits. It would be unfair and inhumane to hold Amazon responsible for the deaths of the teens.

According to Carrie Goldberg, one of the parents' lawyers, Amazon's ties with news outlets like CBS are effectively working to silence media attention for their lawsuit, while more lives may still be at risk.

Goldberg told Ars that they avoided press attention for months. We have reached a breaking point of too many people dying, medical providers not knowing what is happening or that a treatment protocol exists, and of press spiking stories about it.

Goldberg claimed that a producer told her that CBS canceled a pair of 60 Minutes segments because they didn't like the story. The producer is said to have said that the executives didn't want to risk anyone dying from suicide. CBS News did a 60 Minutes segment on child suicides last month, as well as reporting on the lethal uses of saltinet in 2020.

Goldberg is said to have been told by parents that CBS canceling was understandable. Goldberg said that CBS has a partnership with Amazon.

Goldberg said that the law firm had communicated with CBS ahead of connecting their clients to their reporters to make sure that CBS had experience reporting on suicide. After getting assurances from CBS that the segment would be aired, Goldberg set up aZoom with parents suing. Her concern was that the interviews could retraumatize her clients, and that, to them, it was only worth enduring that emotional duress if they could raise awareness for the suffering they had suffered.

The failures of CBS have been demoralizing. Why did they assure us so many times that they knew how to deal with suicides?

Ars did not get a response from CBS. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who have died by suicide. At Amazon, customer safety is a priority. Selling partners are required to follow all applicable laws and regulations when listing items in our store.

According to the complaint, Amazon defends its right to sell products known to be used for suicide because it says some states immunize defendants that cause a personal injury when they commit suicide.

Amazon appears to bundle items into “suicide kits”

Even though it is illegal for corporations to assist or aid in suicide, Amazon has been accused of helping children die from suicide.

According to the lawsuit, Loudwolf is the top brand of sodium nitrite sold by Amazon.

Ars asked Loudwolf how much sodium nitrite it sells on Amazon, but Loudwolf didn't reply immediately. According to the lawsuit, Amazon has failed to give this information. Following a New York Times investigation into the matter, Amazon failed to meet a deadline to confirm the number of units they sold. According to the lawsuit, Congress expressed concern in a letter to the online retailer that it gives easy access to a deadly chemical.

The lawsuit shows how easy it is for teens to get the chemical on Amazon.

In the first case, a teen named Kristine began to experience suicidal thoughts when she couldn't see her friends anymore. While hiding her feelings from her family, she registered on an online forum called Sanctioned-Suicide.org, which the lawsuit says encourages others to buy sodium nitrite as a suicide method.