Mum dies after being injected with black market ‘skinny jab’
The heartbroken daughters of Karen McGonigal have bravely spoken out about their mother's tragic death after receiving a counterfeit "skinny jab" from an unregulated source. In a moving interview with ITV News, the family became the first in the UK to publicly share their story about the dangers of fake weight loss treatments.
Karen, a loving mother of two, had hoped to safely manage her weight concerns when she received the fatal injection. What she believed was a legitimate treatment turned out to be a dangerous counterfeit product containing unknown, potentially lethal substances. The family described their devastation as they watched their vibrant mother deteriorate after the procedure.
"Our mum was just looking for a way to feel more confident," one daughter shared, her voice trembling with emotion. "No family should have to go through this agony."
The investigation, led by ITV News Health Correspondent Rebecca Barry and Senior Producer Liz Little, reveals a growing black market for prescription weight-loss medications like semaglutide (commonly known as Ozempic or Wegovy). These medications, when properly prescribed and administered, can be effective for certain individuals. However, counterfeit versions flooding the market pose severe health risks including infection, organ damage, and death.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued urgent warnings about the dangers of purchasing medications from unofficial sources. "These products are not what they seem," said an MHRA spokesperson. "They may contain anything from toxic substances to harmless fillers, with no way of knowing what you're injecting into your body."
Karen's family is now campaigning to raise awareness about the hidden perils of the "skinny jab" trade. They're urging anyone considering weight loss treatments to consult qualified healthcare professionals and to report suspicious products to authorities.
"Our mum's death wasn't in vain," Karen's other daughter stated, her eyes filled with tears. "We want to prevent other families from experiencing this pain."
The coroner's investigation into Karen's death is ongoing, while authorities work to dismantle the networks distributing these dangerous counterfeit medications across the UK. As the family continues to grieve, they find solace in sharing Karen's story as a warning to others.
Read the original ITV News investigation: ITV National News