UK mother dies after black‑market weight‑loss jab

Karen McGonigal, a 53-year-old mother from Salford, died days after allegedly receiving a black-market semaglutide “skinny jab” from a beautician at a salon; her family say she sought the treatment after being denied NHS weight-loss prescriptions and feeling “desperate” following a relationship breakdown. The beautician reportedly offered the shots for about £20 via text and administered injections in a back room with no apparent medical preparation; four days after her last jab Karen developed severe stomach pain and breathing difficulties and died in hospital after two days in intensive care. Clinicians and campaigners say the case highlights a growing, dangerous black market for GLP-1 and related drugs, including tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and unapproved products such as Retatrutide. The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has seized large quantities of counterfeit weight-loss injections and regulators and experts urge people to obtain medicines only through registered providers to avoid untested and potentially deadly products. Karen’s family and groups including Save Face are calling for a crackdown on illegal suppliers and stronger regulation to prevent further harm.