Man charged over second illegal euthanasia death

A man accused of running an illegal euthanasia operation using a fake charity to gain access to veterinary medicines has been charged with a second assisted suicide.

Brett Daniel Taylor, 53, is one of three men charged in the alleged assisted suicide of a paralyzed man on the Gold Coast in April.

The coroner ordered a police investigation after a post-mortem examination revealed he died after taking a lethal dose of pentobarbitone.

Police confirmed on Thursday that following a months-long investigation, Taylor faces a raft of new charges, including a second death.

The new charges come after police expanded the investigation to look into 20 deaths dating back to 2021, leading to allegations in the January 2024 death of a 75-year-old Ashmore man.

Other additional charges include further charges relating to the supply of dangerous drugs, which were allegedly offered at meetings in Maroochydore and Nerang.

Police also added three counts of fraud, including falsely claiming to be a qualified attorney, charging unauthorized fees for estate planning and end-of-life services, and embezzling donated charitable funds.

The trio allegedly used a charity to humanely kill beached whales and dolphins in order to buy and sell veterinary drugs to people seeking to end their lives.

Brett Taylor founded the charity Cetacean Compassion Australia Ltd and registered it in a high-rise flat on the Gold Coast, where Ian Taylor is reportedly listed as a director.

Cetacean Compassion Australia Ltd’s charity status has been revoked by federal authorities.

The new charges will be heard at Southport Magistrates’ Court on December 2.