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Mother's Death Sparks Manslaughter Arrests Over Black Market Weight-Loss Jab

10/27/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Karen McGonigal, a 53-year-old mother from Salford, died in May after receiving a black market weight-loss injection known as a "skinny jab" containing semaglutide, which her family says contributed.
One person was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, and another for supplying a controlled substance.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged caution on unlicensed medications and called for stricter regulation of weight-loss drugs.

History

Historical Context

The FDA's approval of Qsymia in 2012 underscored the rising demand for obesity treatments amid a history of safety concerns with appetite suppressants, such as fenfluramine, withdrawn in the 1990s due to severe health risks. Health Secretary Wes Streeting's call for stricter regulations reflects ongoing efforts to ensure public safety in the face of unregulated alternatives like the "skinny jab."

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Story summary

Karen McGonigal, a 53-year-old mother from Salford, died in May after receiving a black market weight-loss injection known as a "skinny jab" containing semaglutide, which her family says contributed.
One person was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, and another for supplying a controlled substance.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting urged caution on unlicensed medications and called for stricter regulation of weight-loss drugs.

1 / 2