URGENT UPDATE: A mother from Salford, Greater Manchester, tragically died after being injected with an illegal weight-loss drug costing just £20 ($26.63). Karen McGonigal, 53, passed away in May 2023, just days after receiving a black market injection of semaglutide, a substance not approved for such use. Her heartbroken daughters are now urgently calling for stricter laws against the sale of unlicensed weight-loss medications.
In an exclusive interview with ITV News, Karen’s daughters, Ffion and Abbie, described their mother as having “the biggest heart,” and they are now “begging” the public to avoid counterfeit weight-loss shots. They are the first family in the U.K. to speak publicly about a death linked to these dangerous injections, highlighting an alarming trend that has campaigners like Save Face warning people they are “playing the lottery” with their lives.
Ashton Collins from Save Face reported an “alarming rise” in illegal weight-loss injections sold online, with at least one report received weekly over the past year. Karen’s daughters revealed that their mother was struggling with mental health issues and low self-esteem following the end of a long-term relationship. “She didn’t feel happy in herself,” Abbie shared, explaining that Karen sought weight-loss help after feeling her weight was “ruining her life.”
With the NHS guidelines proving restrictive, Karen turned to a local beauty salon where she believed she could receive legitimate injections. However, unknown to her, the beautician’s offers came from an unlicensed source. Karen underwent multiple visits, where injections were administered without any medical oversight. “She’d be out in three minutes,” Ffion recalled, emphasizing the reckless environment in which these procedures occurred.
Just four days after her last injection, Karen showed severe symptoms, including agonizing stomach pain and difficulty breathing. Ffion called an ambulance when she saw her mother’s face turn “purple.” Despite being rushed to the hospital, Karen passed away two days later after her family was told there was nothing more doctors could do. “We were around her, kissing and hugging her,” Abbie added, sorrowfully recounting their final moments together.
The sisters are now advocating for a crackdown on illegal weight-loss drugs, which they believe led to their mother’s death. “The people who are actually injecting people with this stuff — more needs to be done to them,” Abbie stated. They are joined by health officials who warn that buying medications from illegal sources significantly increases the risk of receiving dangerous, untested products.
A representative for the Greater Manchester Police confirmed that one person has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection with Karen’s death, while another faces charges for supplying a controlled substance. The investigation remains ongoing.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has reiterated the dangers of purchasing drugs from unlicensed suppliers, emphasizing that individuals lack the necessary medical expertise to dispense such medications safely. Andy Morling, MHRA Deputy Director, stated, “Buying any medicine from illegal online suppliers significantly increases the risk of receiving falsified or unlicensed products.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his condolences to Karen’s family, stating that authorities are determined to eliminate these dangerous practices from the U.K. “People must seek medical advice from regulated medical providers,” he urged, reminding the public of the serious risks associated with unregulated weight-loss drugs.
As the family awaits further test results regarding the specifics of Karen’s treatment, they hope their story will prevent further tragedies. “If this saves another person,” Abbie concluded, “then we’ve done enough.” The sisters are committed to raising awareness about the dangers of counterfeit weight-loss injections, urging anyone considering these “cheaper options” to think twice: “The outcome is devastating. It’s really not worth it.”
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