Amazon instructed to remove ’how-to suicide guides’ from its site to prevent future deaths

29 June 2024 , 18:55

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Deborah Cooper and three other people took their own lives after buying the publication on Amazon

Four coroners have, since December last year, raised grave concerns about the suicide guides after people who bought them on the shopping site took their own lives

Horrified officials have called on Amazon to remove "how-to suicide guides" from sale.

Since December, four coroners have raised concerns about the books after people who bought them on the shopping site took their own lives.

Deborah Cooper, 61, from Melksham, Wiltshire, died in February. A digital publication was found on her PC. Wiltshire Coroner David Ridley issued a Prevention of Future Deaths notice, expressing his “utmost concern” about the “marketing and supply of such a book” and told Amazon it had the power to prevent future deaths.

Mary Jones, 86, of Knutsford, Cheshire, also consulted a book from the retailer before taking her own life, an inquest heard. Coroner Elizabeth Wheeler said: “Amazon, or the algorithms, are clearly aware of the potential for harm that this book can cause as there is a banner at the top giving contact numbers for the Samaritans.”

Mary’s daughter, Christine Wadsworth, said: “It is shocking you can just get a book like that. I don’t think it should be on sale.” The author of two of the books told the BBC that it is the “right of rational adults to have the information”.

But Lauren Rolfe, from charity Suicide Prevention UK, said: “These people are in a mental health crisis. It’s going to support them with their aim.” Amazon said: “As a bookseller, we offer a broad range of viewpoints, including books some may find objectionable. We have content guidelines governing which books can be listed.”

James Smith