EXCLUSIVE: Police investigating how former theatre trustee obtained lethal chemical to end his own life as coroner raises concerns over how easy it is to obtain

POLICE are investigating how a former theatre trustee obtained a lethal chemical he used to end his own life as a coroner has warned the substance is too easy to obtain at high strength and in large quantities.

Andrew Kenward (above), a 30-year-old theatre company trustee, used a substance containing sodium nitrate at almost 100 percent purity to end his life in a car after he purchased just over 100 grams of a product that was labelled as 99.999 percent pure.

Police are investigating where the keen footballer obtained it from as it can be bought online from overseas and within the UK amid concerns it is increasingly being used in suicides.

Anna Loxton, HM Assistant Coroner for Surrey, has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Health Secretary Wes Streeting warning that more controls are needed over the sale and import of products containing the chemical in the wake of his death.

Andrew, from Hampton, Richmond upon Thames, was found dead on October 24 2022 in his car parked on a road in Sunbury on Thames, Surrey, from an overdose of a poisonous product containing the substance. The name of the specific product has been redacted from a Prevention of Future Deaths notice published this month, which she sent to the two secretaries of state.

At the inquest on June 17 she recorded a verdict of suicide after the cause of death was given as toxicity from the chemical.

Mr Kenward, who had hearing difficulties, had previously expressed an intention to end his life to a friend and an undated note was found in his bedroom drawer expressing his regret and love for his Family that he felt unable to continue living.

Mr Kenward was a trustee of Definitely Theatre, which produces bilingual theatre for deaf and hearing audiences, from March 2021 until four months before his death.

The theatre posted on social media after the tragedy: "We are deeply saddened to learn that Andrew Kenward has passed away. 'Andrew was a wonderful and valued Deafinitely Theatre Trustee from March 2021 to June 2022 and was always hugely supportive of the company and our work. Our thoughts and full support remain with all of Andrew’s family and friends.

"If you are deaf and experiencing a crisis, text DEAF to 85258 for free and immediate support."

He was also a key member of Fulham Deaf Football Club, which set up The Andrew Kenward Cup in his memory.

Two packets of the substance were found in Mr Kenward’s bedroom, both stated to contain 50gs and were “99.999% pure. One was sealed and weighed 51.45g, while the second was resealable and weighed 49.48g.

Ms Loxton wrote: "The source of these packets remains under police investigation."

A quick Google search by Essex News and Investigations found the potentially deadly chemical at 99 percent purity available to buy from a UK supplier from 1kg at under £50 up to 10kgs at a price "to be confirmed."

Ms Loxton said that despite the chemical being a reportable substance under the Poisons Act 1972, there was no central monitoring system able to record incidents of poisonings by it, 'although the use of (it) for self-harm is increasing.'

She added: "The only obligation under this legislation is that domestic sellers must report reasonable grounds for believing transactions are suspicious. Whilst the source of this particular (redacted) is not currently known, there are no restrictions on the import of (redacted) or (redacted) from abroad.

"Whilst these substances have legitimate uses, including meat preservation, there does not appear to have been consideration as to whether the purity can be diluted, or any other measures taken, to reduce the risk posed by the quantities in which these substances are currently sold, against the risk to life that they can pose."

She said because it is sold at levels of purity of 99 percent and in "quantities which represent significant risk to life - up to 1, 000 fatal doses for 1kg -  whether by self-harm or terrorist use, the quantities and purity in which (it is) sold do not appear to be those required for their legitimate use, for example in meat preservation."

She added: "It does not appear there is any consideration of regulating/monitoring the use outside of the limited provisions of the Poisons Act 1972, and it is not clear which Government department would be responsible for this.

"Consideration should be given as to whether any steps can be taken to address the above concerns."

Mrs Cooper and Mr Streeting have been given 56 days to respond to the coroner.

The Home Office and Department of Health said they would respond to the report within the timescale.

A Surrey Police spokesperson said: "Surrey Police’s investigation into the death of Andrew Kenward remains open. Enquiries continue into the wider circumstances of his death, and we will follow up any new lines of enquiry.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further while this investigation remains ongoing.for details of its investigation into the source of the chemical."