A man accused of running an illegal euthanasia operation using a fake charity to access veterinary drugs has been charged over two assisted suicides.
Brett Daniel Taylor, 53, is one of three people charged after an alleged assisted suicide of a Gold Coast quadriplegic man in April.
A coroner ordered the police investigation after the post-mortem examination revealed he died from a lethal dose of pentobarbitone.
After months of investigation, Taylor now faces a string of new charges, including a second death, police confirmed on Thursday.
The new charges come after police widened the probe to review up to 20 deaths dating back to 2021, leading to allegations surrounding the death of a 75-year-old Ashmore man in January 2024.
Other additional charges include additional counts of supplying dangerous drugs, which include allegedly offering them at meetings in Maroochydore and Nerang.
Police have also added three counts of fraud, including falsely claiming to be a qualified solicitor, charging unauthorised fees for estate planning and end-of-life services, and misappropriating donated charity funds.
The trio allegedly used a charity for humanely killing beached whales and dolphins to obtain and sell veterinary drugs to people seeking to end their lives.
Brett Taylor founded the charity Cetacean Compassion Australia Ltd and registered it to a Gold Coast high-rise apartment with Ian Taylor reportedly listed as a director.
Cetacean Compassion Australia Ltd has since had its charity status revoked by federal authorities.
The fresh charges will be mentioned in the Southport Magistrates Court on December 2.
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