A Gold Coast man at the centre of Queensland’s biggest-ever assisted dying investigation has been charged over an alleged black-market euthanasia scheme police say has been linked to at least 20 deaths.
Detectives allege Brett Daniel Taylor, 53, ran a business called End of Life Services, which unlawfully supplied a restricted veterinary drug to vulnerable people with the intent to help them end their lives.
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The investigation began following the death of a 43-year-old man at Hope Island on April 11, police said.
Toxicology results confirmed the man died from acute pentobarbital toxicity, a drug commonly used to euthanise animals and strictly regulated in Queensland.
Detective Inspector Mark Mooney said the man had a disability but did not meet the state’s strict criteria for voluntary assisted dying.
“Queensland has very strict legal processes in place for people who are considering end-of-life options,” Mooney said.
“These safeguards exist to ensure proper oversight, consent and protection. Circumventing these processes undermines those protections and puts lives at risk.”
Taylor has been charged with two counts of aiding suicide, along with drug trafficking, possession of dangerous drugs, and receiving property obtained through crime.
“Police allege a 53-year-old man from Main Beach supplied the drug to the victim with the intention of ending his life,” Mooney said.
“It is alleged that the offender deliberately targeted vulnerable individuals and took advantage of them at their most desperate moments.”
Police allege he sourced the drug under false pretences from legitimate sources by setting up a fake charity claiming to euthanise distressed whales.
“We allege that’s just a front to supply this business,” Mooney said.
A registered charity called Cetacean Compassion Australia Ltd is listed under Taylor’s name.
Pentobarbital can be ingested or injected and Mooney said the accused charged “significantly more” than he paid for the drug.
“There is clear payment for all of these transactions. We will allege he has not acted compassionately at all. This is a business transaction. This is why he’s doing it for pure money,” he said.
Taylor was allegedly working alongside his 80-year-old father and an 81-year-old woman from Southport, who are also facing serious drug and suicide-related charges.
Mooney said they had used the Victorian police to search the house of the accused mother under a search warrant, resulting in the discovery of a large quantity of drugs.
Body-worn camera footage from police shows officers uncovering boxes of the drug during their investigation.
Voluntary assisted dying has been legal in Queensland since January 2023, but only under strict criteria.
Patients must be suffering from an advanced and progressive illness causing death within 12 months and be experiencing intolerable suffering.
Detectives now believe Taylor’s alleged operation may be connected to at least 20 deaths dating back to 2021.
That number could grow, with police investigating additional cases and warning more charges may follow
Taylor remains in custody. All three accused are expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court later this month.
“The punishment of aiding suicide is a life imprisonment offence,” Mooney confirmed.
Police are urging anyone who may have had contact with End of Life Services or has information relevant to the case to come forward.
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