Mother Dies After Receiving Black Market Weight-Loss Injections in UK

Karen McGonigal, a 53-year-old mother from Salford, Greater Manchester, tragically died after receiving illegal weight-loss injections bought from a black market beauty salon. Desperate to lose weight and improve her mental health after a difficult breakup, Karen was unable to access these drugs through the NHS and was instead injected with semaglutide by an unlicensed beautician in unsanitary conditions. Despite initial weight loss, she developed severe stomach pains and breathing problems days after her final injection, leading to her hospitalization and subsequent death after two days in intensive care. Her daughters have publicly called for a crackdown on the illegal supply of unlicensed weight-loss drugs to prevent further tragedies, emphasizing the risks of unregulated treatments being sold cheaply outside medical supervision. Greater Manchester Police have arrested individuals on suspicion of manslaughter and supplying controlled substances in connection with this case. Campaigners and authorities warn that the black market for these drugs, including Mounjaro and Wegovy, is a growing public health concern, with many people unknowingly risking their lives by purchasing unregulated injections.