Woman, 81, charged with attempted assisted suicide following trio’s arrest over vet drug death

An elderly woman allegedly acted as a “secretary” for a charity business that sold bottles of a veterinary euthanasia drug that has been linked to a man’s death from a fatal dose, a court has been told.

Elaine Arch-Rowe, 81, was one of three people charged on Monday over the death of the Hope Island man, 43, back in April this year.

She was released on bail following a brief appearance before Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday when prosecutors amended her charge of aiding suicide.

Ms Arch-Rowe, from Southport, is now charged with attempted aiding suicide.

She is also facing one count each of trafficking dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs and sale of potential harmful things.

Police allege an autopsy on the Hope Island man’s body confirmed that he died from acute pentobarbital toxicity – a veterinary euthanasia drug.

Detectives then began to probe the man’s health, care, and treatment in the period leading up to his death as well as the circumstances of his death.

Brett Daniel Taylor, 53, is alleged to have supplied the 43-year-old with the drug for the purpose of ending his life.

Police further allege he sourced the drugs through a charity he set up to euthanise whales.

Mr Taylor, from Main Beach, is charged with two counts of aiding suicide and one count each of trafficking in dangerous drugs, possessing dangerous drugs and receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying.

During a bail application on Tuesday, the court was told Ms Arch-Rowe was not in a show cause position on the charges.

Police opposed bail, citing an unacceptable risk that she would endanger the safety and welfare of the public.

The court was told the drug allegedly sold was not a drug that was used recreationally.

“Queensland has very strict legal processes in place for people who are considering end-of-life options,” a police prosecutor said.

“These processes are safeguarded to ensure proper oversight, consent and protection for those involved.”

The court was told Ms Arch-Rowe and her co-accused were allegedly “circumventing” these processes and “putting vulnerable people at risk”.

The prosecutor said Ms Arch-Rowe allegedly likened herself as a “secretary” of the alleged business both Mr Taylor and an 80-year-old man Ashmore man are accused of being a part of.

“Her role (allegedly) involved meeting prospective clients, explaining the processes surrounding the offending, attending and organising seminars at community centres, aged care villages and targeting vulnerable elderly people,” she said.

Just six days before, the trio were alleged to have organised a seminar at Maroochydore RSL Club, taking four bottles of pentobarbitone with the intent of selling it.

Michael McMillan, acting for Ms Arch-Rowe, said his client had strong ties to the community and ties to her own family.

The court was told a person working with the police allegedly contacted Mr Taylor during a meeting in Nerang with the pretence of purchasing the drug.

Ms Arch-Rowe is then alleged to have contacted this person to arrange the drug’s sale.

Mr McMillan took aim at the prosecution’s case, saying there was no direct evidence of this “law-enforcement participant” saying they wanted the drug to end their life.

“The case has to be based on inference,” Mr McMillan said.

“The offence relies on her doing these acts, knowing …(it) will cause the death of the deceased.”

Magistrate Deborah Mitchell noted Ms Arch-Rowe might be at risk of serving too much time in custody were bail to be refused.

She ultimately granted bail, enforcing a non-contact order with her co-accused, a weekly reporting condition and a ban on obtaining the drug.

The 80-year-old man has also been charged with one count each of trafficking in dangerous drugs and possessing dangerous drugs.

He is due to front court on September 26.

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