Trio charged over backyard ‘veterinary drug’ euthanasia operation

A Gold Coast father-son duo charged over the death of a 43-year-old man who ended his life with a veterinary drug have been accused of running a backyard euthanasia operation that may be connected to about 20 suicides across Australia.

Homicide detectives began investigating the death of the man from Hope Island after a toxicology report revealed he died from acute pentobarbitone toxicity – a euthanasia drug for animals.

Queensland police said a “large-scale and complex” investigation led to a business called End of Life Services and three people who allegedly supplied the victim with the life-ending veterinary drug.

Brett Taylor, a 53-year-old from Main Beach, has been charged with two counts of aiding suicide and one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying.

An 81-year-old Southport woman has been charged with one count each of aiding suicide, trafficking dangerous drugs, and possessing dangerous drugs, while an 80-year-old Ashmore man has been charged with one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs and possessing dangerous drugs.

Gold Coast Detective Inspector Mark Mooney said Taylor is the son of the 80-year-old man but is not related to the 81-year-old woman and police suspected no prior relationship before she became involved in the business.

“I can’t really speak for her, but I understand that she’s probably a believer in this sort of end-of-life services… [being available] to a broader population,” Mooney told reporters.

He said none of the three accused were a veterinarian or worked with animals, and police suspected Taylor had sourced the drug through “false pretences”.

“We will allege he has set up a charity, through which he’s been able to purchase the drug through a lawful supplier,” Mooney said.

“That charity is just a front.”

Mooney said Taylor offered standard death services through his company, but also offered a “finding service where he can turn up and locate the deceased after they’ve ended their life”.

The company’s website offers free first consultations with “Brett from Main Beach”, and markets End of Life Services as “the last kindness you can offer your family and friends after you’ve passed”.

“Simply call End of Life Services, and we’ll come to meet with you to discuss all your options,” the website reads.

It charges between $2950 and $3600 for end-of-life packages, which it describes as including asset management, and lifestyle and reintegration plans for surviving spouses and grieving family members.

“Our process can start when a loved one moves to much-needed higher care and continues until a surviving spouse re-engages life with their full potential,” the website reads.

Police will also allege Taylor openly sold euthanasia drugs in public meetings in at least one instance.

“That sale took place without any questioning about that person’s health or any vulnerabilities that they may have had,” Mooney said.

Mooney said none of the accused were related to the 43-year-old who died in April, but the deceased man’s family had contacted the business.

“The alleged offender is deliberately targeting vulnerable people, taking advantage of them in their most desperate moments,” he said.

“So far, detectives are looking into numerous other deaths dating back to 2021 where it is alleged the defendant has had dealings with the deceased person.

“We urge anyone who may have information relevant to this investigation or who have engaged with a business called End of Life Services to come forward and speak with detectives.”

Mooney said police had linked Taylor and the End of Life Services business to 20 potential victims, some of whom could be in other states, including Victoria and New South Wales.

He said many of these potential victims had been identified through bank transactions.

“We will allege he [Taylor] hasn’t acted compassionately at all – this is a business transaction for him,” Mooney said.

“We also utilised Victorian police to assist us in conducting a search warrant at the 53-year-old male’s mother’s house.

“We also located a large number of the drugs in bottles there.”

Mooney said the 43-year-old Hope Island man who died had suffered from medical conditions “for a long period of time”, but had not qualified for an assisted end-of-life treatment under Queensland’s voluntary assisted dying laws.

“Queensland has very strict legal processes in place for people who are considering end-of-life options... circumventing those processes undermines the protections in place and puts lives at risk,” Mooney said.

The father-son duo and 81-year-old woman were due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court later this month.

Queensland became the fifth state in Australia to legalise voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill patients in 2021, with the laws coming into effect in January 2023.

To access euthanasia, Queensland adults must have been diagnosed with a disease, illness or medical condition that is advanced, progressive, will cause death within 12 months and is causing intolerable suffering.

The person must be assessed by two doctors, make three separate requests, and they can change their mind at any time.

If you, or someone you know, needs support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.