A heartbreaking tragedy in the UK has shed light on the dangers of illegal weight loss injections. A devoted mother of three, Karen McGonigal, died after being given an unlicensed “skinny jab” purchased for just £20 at a local beauty salon. Her devastated daughters are now pleading for a crackdown on fake weight loss drugs being sold across the country.
Family Warns Others After Tragic Loss
Karen’s daughters, Abbie and Ffion McGonigal, are urging people to avoid unregulated weight loss jabs. Speaking to ITV News, they became the first UK family to publicly share their story about a death linked to a fake weight loss injection.
“She had the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone,” said Abbie. “If she was your friend, you were lucky.”
Karen, a 53-year-old from Salford, Greater Manchester, passed away in May this year — just days after allegedly being injected with semaglutide, a drug used for weight management.
‘She Wanted Her Old Self Back’
According to her daughters, Karen had been struggling with her mental health and body image following the end of a long-term relationship. “She just wanted her old self back,” Abbie said. “She thought losing weight would give her confidence again.”
Karen had consulted her GP to check if she qualified for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) — a medically approved weight loss drug sometimes called the “King Kong” of anti-obesity treatments. However, strict NHS prescription guidelines made her ineligible.
When she learned she couldn’t get the medication legally, friends told her about a beauty salon offering weight loss jabs for just £20. The injections were allegedly administered by a beautician, not a medical professional.
‘No Cleaning, No Preparation — Just a Quick Jab’
Karen’s daughter Ffion told ITV News that the beautician once stopped doing a client’s nails to inject her mother in a back room. “No preparation, no cleaning — nothing. My mum would pay her and be out in three minutes,” she said.
Four days after her last injection, Karen fell seriously ill. She experienced severe stomach pain and difficulty breathing. When her face began turning purple, her daughter called an ambulance.
“She was rushed to hospital, but by the time I saw her again, she wasn’t awake,” said Ffion. After two days in intensive care, doctors informed the family that there was nothing more they could do. Karen’s life support was turned off as her loved ones gathered around to say their final goodbyes.
‘I’m Heartbroken She’ll Never Meet My Baby’
Ffion, who still lived with her mum, recently found out she’s pregnant with her first child — Karen’s fifth grandchild. “I’m devastated she’s not here to meet my baby,” she said tearfully. “Even small things like making a cup of tea in the morning remind me she’s gone.”
The family later learned that Karen had not been injected with Mounjaro (tirzepatide) as she thought, but with semaglutide, a drug requiring a different dosage and strict medical supervision. They believe these unregulated weight-loss injections caused her death and are awaiting final test results.
Dangers of Fake Weight Loss Jabs in the UK
Campaigners from Save Face, an organization advocating for cosmetic safety, have warned of a growing black market for illegal weight loss drugs. Director Ashton Collins told The Mirror there’s been an “alarming rise” in such cases, with reports increasing dramatically over the last 12 months.
“We’re now getting at least one report every week,” Collins said. “These products are often sold online or in salons by people with no medical qualifications. They come in unlabelled vials, shipped with loose syringes and saline, leaving users to inject themselves — an extremely dangerous practice.”
He added: “Buying unlicensed weight loss injections is like playing the lottery with your life. There’s no guarantee about what’s in them or if the dosage is safe.”
Police Investigation Underway
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that one person has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, and another on suspicion of supplying a controlled substance. The investigation remains ongoing.
In the UK, selling unlicensed prescription-only drugs is a criminal offence, carrying a maximum sentence of two years in prison and an unlimited fine.
A Plea to the Public: “It’s Not Worth the Risk”
Abbie and Ffion are determined to prevent other families from suffering the same loss. “If this saves even one person from going through what we have, then it’s worth it,” Abbie said.
Ffion added: “Please don’t go for the cheaper option. The outcome is devastating. It’s heartbreaking and really, really not worth it.”
Key Takeaway
The tragic death of Karen McGonigal highlights the urgent need for public awareness and government action against illegal weight loss injections. Experts stress that weight loss medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide should only be prescribed and administered by licensed healthcare professionals.
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