Mother, 53, Dies from Black Market Weight-Loss Injection

URGENT UPDATE: A mother from Salford, Greater Manchester, tragically died after receiving a black market weight-loss injection, shocking her family and calling attention to the dangers of unregulated drugs. Karen McGonigal, 53, succumbed just days after being injected with semaglutide, a weight-loss medication linked to her death.

In a heartbreaking plea, Karen’s daughters, Ffion and Abbie McGonigal, are urging a crackdown on illegal weight-loss products. They emphasize the dire need for public awareness, stating, “If this saves another person, or saves another person going through what we feel — then we’ve done enough.”

Karen’s death in May 2023 marks the first known case in the U.K. linked to counterfeit weight-loss injections. Campaigners from Save Face report an alarming rise in illegal injections sold online, with at least one report coming in every week. Ashton Collins from Save Face warned, “Purchasing drugs from illegal sources is like playing the lottery with your life.”

Desperate for weight loss after a long-term relationship ended, Karen turned to a local beauty salon that offered the injections at just £20 ($26.63) per dose. Believing she was receiving legitimate treatment, she underwent several injections without proper medical oversight. “No preparation, no cleaning, nothing,” Ffion recalled of her mother’s experience.

Tragically, four days after her last injection, Karen suffered severe stomach pains and breathing difficulties. Her daughter quickly called an ambulance, but by the time they arrived, Karen’s condition had deteriorated drastically. She spent two days in intensive care before her family was devastated to learn there was nothing more doctors could do.

The sisters are now advocating for more stringent regulations on the sale of these dangerous drugs. Abbie stated, “The people who are actually injecting people with this stuff — more needs to be done to them.” They expressed frustration with both the police and the MHRA, the UK’s medicines regulator, for not doing enough to prevent the distribution of unlicensed and unsafe products.

A representative from Greater Manchester Police confirmed that an investigation is underway, with one person arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and another for supplying a controlled substance. The family awaits further test results to determine the exact cause of Karen’s death.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed condolences, stating, “This shocking and avoidable loss must drive us to eradicate these dangerous criminals.” He urged the public to seek medical advice from regulated providers before considering weight-loss medications.

With Karen’s death serving as a tragic reminder of the risks associated with black market drugs, her daughters hope their story will prevent similar tragedies. “The outcome is devastating. It’s heartbreaking and it’s really, really not worth it,” Ffion pleaded, as she prepares to welcome her first child, knowing her mother will not be there to share in the joy.

As authorities continue to investigate and public awareness grows, this tragic incident highlights the urgent need for consumer vigilance and strict enforcement against illegal medical practices.