Man accused of running fake charity and assisting suicide remains behind bars

A man accused of running a fake whale euthanasia charity to sell drugs that aided a person with quadriplegia to take his own life will remain in custody.

Brett Daniel Taylor is one of three people charged over a police probe into the alleged assisted suicide of the Gold Coast man, with about 20 other deaths being investigated.

Taylor, a 53-year-old business owner, was not required to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on Queensland's Gold Coast today.

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During a brief court mention, Taylor's solicitor Billy Gee did not apply for bail and asked for an adjournment.

"We have a conference booked with Mr Taylor next week on Thursday," Gee said.

Taylor is charged with aiding in the suicide of 43-year-old David Llewellyn Bedford at Hope Island on April 11.

Bedford was a former chef who was left paralysed by a car crash in August 2022, according to his previous submission to a Queensland parliamentary inquiry into voluntary assisted dying in 2020.

Taylor is also charged with aiding in the suicide of a woman who was working undercover for police, possessing and trafficking in animal euthanasia drugs and receiving money from drug trafficking.

Taylor has been accused of sourcing the euthanasia drug under false pretences by setting up beached whale euthanasia charity Cetacean Compassion Australia Ltd and accessing it through a lawful supplier.

Police on Monday charged Taylor and two elderly people following an investigation into Bedford's death.

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Elaine Arch-Rowe, 81, faced court on Tuesday charged with attempting to arrange the supply of the drug to someone who turned out to be an undercover police operative.

Police have alleged she brought life-ending veterinary drugs to an RSL seminar in a bid to sell them.

Magistrate Deborah Mitchell heard police had intercepted communications with Arch-Rowe discussing with Taylor how to obtain two types of fatal drug.

During a video conference Arch-Rowe allegedly said "to get access to the product from the manufacturer we need to give a large percentage to be used legitimately".

Arch-Rowe was later released from a Gold Coast watchhouse after being granted bail despite the prosecution's opposition.

She is due to return to court on October 17.

An 80-year-old Ashmore man - who police allege is Taylor's father - has been charged with trafficking and possessing dangerous drugs, and is due to appear in court on Friday next week.

Magistrate Veena Goverdhan adjourned Taylor's matter and remanded him in custody to next appear in court on October 7.

Gee did not comment as he left court.

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.