Mary Jones

PFD Report All Responded Ref: 2024-0159
Date of Report 21 March 2024
Coroner Elizabeth Wheeler
Coroner Area Cheshire
Response Deadline est. 16 May 2024
All 1 response received · Deadline: 16 May 2024
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Amazon continues to sell a "well known suicide book" which is easily accessible and quickly deliverable, despite awareness of its potential for harm and a previous coroner's intervention.
View full coroner's concerns
The “well known suicide book” I refer to in Box 3 is ” (redact on publication). As part of my investigations, I have received evidence that this book is readily available on Amazon.co.uk following a simple search for the same. Furthermore, it is available on Amazon Prime – so is available for expedited delivery. It is the first item shown when a search is made. 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. Despite this, the book is still on sale. I am aware that the Area Coroner for Cheshire wrote to Amazon in December 2023 raising this same issue, but has not yet had a response. I am concerned that the ready availability of this book will lead to people being more effective in any attempts to take their own lives.
Responses
Amazon Other
15 Apr 2024
Noted
Amazon has reviewed the book against its content guidelines and decided not to remove it from sale. They display a banner on the product detail page offering information on how to access free and confidential advice from the Samaritans. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Sir/Madam We refer to the Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths (“Report”) dated 21 March 2024 (received 22 March 2024). The Report references the following book available on Amazon.co.uk:

We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ms Jones. We have carefully considered the contents of the Report. As a bookseller, we believe that providing access to written speech and a variety of viewpoints is important, including books that some may find objectionable. We have content guidelines governing which books can be listed for sale and promptly investigate when a concern is raised. We have reviewed the Book against our content guidelines, taking account of your comments, and have decided not to remove it from sale. We recognise that there are heavily debated titles in our store and different views on where to draw the line protecting freedom of expression. We carefully consider the types of content we make available and think broad guidelines to protect freedom of expression, including controversial content, serve readers better than censorship. We strive to offer a broad selection for customers, even if we don't agree with the message or sentiment of the book itself. At the same time, we are committed to taking measures not to surprise customers with potentially controversial or sensitive content. We display a banner on the product detail page of titles like the Book referenced in the Report, which presents customers with information on how to access free and confidential advice from the Samaritans. AMAZON UK SERVICES LTD. REGISTERED OFFICE: 1 PRINCIPAL PLACE, WORSHIP STREET, LONDON EC2A 2FA, UNITED KINGDOM Registered in England and Wales • Company Registration No. 03223028 • VAT No. GB 680 737 022
Part of a Series

3 separate reports were issued from this inquest, each sent to different organisations.

  • 2019-0322
    Sent to: Manchester University NHS Trust;
    No responses yet
  • 2023-0236
    Sent to: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Welsh Ambulance Service Trust and North Wales Local Authorities
    All responded

This report (2024-0159) is shown above.

Sent To
  • Amazon UK
Response Status
Linked responses 1 of 1
56-Day Deadline 16 May 2024
All responses received
About PFD responses

Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.

Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 14 November 2023 I commenced an investigation into the death of Mary JONES aged
86. The investigation has not yet concluded and the inquest has not been heard.
Circumstances of the Death
Mary Jones was found dead at her home address on 7 November 2023. She had last been spoken to on 6 November. She died as a result of a deliberate overdose of medication, taken with the intent to end her own life. As part of calculating what a fatal dose would be, she consulted a well known book advising on suicide methods.

Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.