An inquest has revealed that a young psychologist took her own life after searching online for a substance used in so-called 'suicide kits'. Zara Afua Ampong-Appiah, 30, was found dead in her bed in April 2025. Scotland Yard detectives are now investigating at least five deaths in the UK linked to an overseas seller of such kits.
Promising Career Cut Short
Ms Ampong-Appiah was a postgraduate research student in the Department of Psychology at Royal Holloway, University of London, with a promising career ahead. However, from February 2023, she struggled with her mental health, requiring time off work and medication for depression and anxiety, according to a statement from her GP.
Digital Evidence
After her death, police downloaded data from her devices and found repeated searches for a US-based pro-choice suicide website and a substance often used in suicide kits. Her mother, Elly Oppong, 66, said her daughter's death 'broke her heart'. Speaking exclusively, she said: 'No parent wants to go through this. There was absolutely no warning, nothing.'
Police Investigation
Ms Ampong-Appiah's case is believed to be one of several the Metropolitan Police are investigating. A force spokesperson said 'enquiries remain ongoing'. The kits have been linked to other cases, including that of Jane Louise Colechin, 44, whose partner found her dead on New Year's Day 2025. A post-mortem revealed she died from the effects of the same substance.
Mental Health Struggles
Ms Ampong-Appiah worked as a talking therapist at Talk Changes, an NHS service in East London. However, unbeknown to her family, she was struggling. In February 2023, she visited her GP feeling anxious and depressed but denied suicidal thoughts. Between then and June 2024, she was repeatedly signed off work and took courses of the antidepressant Citalopram.
Detective Sergeant Tom Boow told East London Coroner's Court that police were alerted after intelligence suggested a substance may have been delivered to her address in Leytonstone. On April 10, 2025, officers forced entry and found her dead in a locked room. No overseas purchases or note were found, but a notebook was open on a page with scripture about death.
Toxicology Results
Toxicology tests showed vastly elevated levels of two substances in her blood, one of which was 14,569 times the normal amount. Expert Amrita Ahluwalia said infection was unlikely to cause such high levels. Pathologist Dr Ashraf Ibrahim recorded the cause of death as toxicity from two forms of a chemical.
Family's Grief
Ms Oppong, a retired cook from Hackney, questioned whether GPs should inform parents if adult children are struggling with mental health or prescribed antidepressants. 'They say the person is over 18 so it's private. If the person is going through mental health problems, a mother or father should know,' she said.
Broader Context
Hundreds of UK deaths may be linked to ordering suicide kits from abroad. A growing number of deaths are also connected to the same US pro-suicide website Ms Ampong-Appiah visited. The website is blocked for UK users, but some bypass the block. Under the Suicide Act 1961, assisting or encouraging suicide is illegal, including ordering or importing suicide kits.
Canadian chef Kenneth Law is awaiting trial after being charged with 14 counts of first-degree murder for allegedly supplying lethal substances. He has been linked to 131 suicides worldwide, 97 in the UK. There is no suggestion he is linked to the Met's investigation.
In 2021, Assistant Coroner Caroline Jones warned of a risk of future deaths after the case of James Nowshadi, 23, whose death was linked to the substance. Nadia Persaud, area coroner for East London, recorded a conclusion of suicide in Ms Ampong-Appiah's case.
For mental health support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
