“Suicide kits” is the families’ description of alleged online recommendations or product groupings, not evidence that Amazon sold a packaged kit. The Washington Supreme Court has allowed negligence claims against Amazon to proceed, and a separate federal appeal has been sent back for further proceedings. Neither court decided that Amazon is ultimately liable for the deaths.
What are the Amazon “suicide kits”?
The phrase comes from families’ allegations about products and recommendations on Amazon, not a finding that the company sold a single packaged product called a suicide kit. In Scott v. Amazon.com, Inc., the Washington Supreme Court’s account of the plaintiffs’ allegations describes sodium nitrite allegedly recommended or linked with a scale, anti-nausea medicine and The Peaceful Pill Handbook. The opinion recounts what the plaintiffs claimed; it does not establish each allegation as fact.
The case concerns alleged platform conduct and deaths, including deaths of young people. It should not be read as a consumer guide: the alleged items are dangerous, and the handbook is described in the case as suicide-instruction material.
What did the Washington Supreme Court decide?
On February 19, 2026, the Washington Supreme Court unanimously reversed a lower-court dismissal and held that the families’ negligence claims could proceed. Its decision addressed whether the alleged harm could have been a foreseeable consequence of selling sodium nitrite. The court said foreseeability was for a jury to decide, rather than resolving that factual question itself.
The majority described a “legal duty to exercise reasonable care to avoid the foreseeable consequences and harm of selling sodium nitrite”. That ruling is about whether the case may continue—not a verdict that Amazon caused the deaths or is liable for them. The ultimate merits remain undecided.
Chief Justice Steven González wrote separately in a concurrence: “It is, at the least, negligent to market a suicide kit to vulnerable people.” That is his concurring view, not the majority’s holding that Amazon was negligent.
How is the Ninth Circuit case different?
A separate federal case brought by the McCarthy and Jónsson families reached the Ninth Circuit. On March 12, 2026, that court reversed and remanded the case, concluding that the families had adequately pleaded claims. The appellate court expressly left their ultimate viability undecided. This was a separate proceeding from the Washington state case, not a second ruling on the same appeal.
| Proceeding | Date and action | What remains undecided |
|---|---|---|
| Scott v. Amazon.com, Inc., Washington Supreme Court | February 19, 2026: unanimously reversed a lower-court dismissal and allowed negligence claims to proceed. | Whether the alleged harm was foreseeable in fact and whether Amazon is ultimately liable. |
| McCarthy and Jónsson v. Amazon.com, Ninth Circuit | March 12, 2026: reversed and remanded after finding the claims adequately pleaded. | The court expressly did not decide the claims’ ultimate viability or Amazon’s liability. |
What has Amazon said, and what is known about sales restrictions?
In the statement reported by Washington Courts after the state ruling, an Amazon spokesperson said, “Customer safety is a top priority at Amazon.” The report also said the company disagreed with the ruling.
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The same report described a sales-policy timeline: Amazon limited sales of high-concentration sodium nitrite to Amazon Business buyers in 2022 and later prohibited sales above 10% concentration. Those are reported policy details, not a live check of current marketplace listings.
How many lawsuits have been reported?
A February 19, 2026 Washington Courts news report, republishing Seattle Times reporting, said at least 10 lawsuits had been filed since 2022 involving families of 28 people. That is the count reported on that date, not a current docket total.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should readers take from the rulings?
- The Washington Supreme Court allowed negligence claims to move forward; it did not find Amazon responsible for deaths.
- The Ninth Circuit separately found the McCarthy and Jónsson families had adequately pleaded claims and remanded their case; it did not decide whether those claims will ultimately succeed.
- Product recommendations, warnings, reviews and sales discussed in the state opinion are allegations unless and until established through the proceedings.
If you or someone you know in the United States may be in immediate danger or needs help with suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
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