// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
'It has broken us as a family,' mother of poison seller victim tells hearing
Danielle Cornish died after taking poison sold by Canadian Kenneth Law
The mother of a British victim of poison seller Kenneth Law has said his death and the way that he died had "destroyed" their family.
Tanya Whitaker broke down at the start of her video statement about the death of her son, Samuel, shown on the second day of a four-day sentencing hearing of Law in Ontario, saying: "He barely had a chance."
The University of Warwick student was found collapsed outside his halls after taking poison sold by Law, who has admitted 14 counts of aiding suicide in Canada. British authorities have confirmed 79 UK victims also died after using his products.
Debbie Cornish echoed Whitaker's sentiments, telling the hearing that her family was "still fighting" to stay together years on from her daughter Danielle's death.
A plea deal with Canadian authorities means Law will not face charges in the UK or over any British deaths, but impact statements from their families are being read this week.
"The enormity of losing a child is catastrophic," Whitaker told a Canadian court on Thursday. "Samuel was just 19 when he was handed the tools that ended his precious life."
She continued: "It has broken me completely and utterly. It has broken us as a family and me as a mother.
"Our son died alone at university 100 miles away from his family. We will never be able to forgive ourselves for this happening."
Samuel Whitaker's mother said his death had broken her "completely and utterly"