Man now guilty of killing girlfriend after review overturns verdict, family say, as he launches appeal

DAWSON CREEK, B.C.— A Canadian man’s ‘not guilty’ verdict has reportedly now been overturned after the killing of his 23-year-old girlfriend. 

According to W5, the investigative unit of CTV, Ryan Friesen has now been handed a guilty sentence for killing Kiara Agnew, a resident of Dawson Creek, in March 2023. He is appealing the decision, it said.

Agnew was found unresponsive in the laundry room of her hotel near Playa del Carmen in Mexico soon after they arrived.

Friesen was arrested and charged at that time with femicide but was later found not guilty in September 2024. 

However, Friesen’s ‘not guilty’ verdict came recently came under active review. 

W5 has reported Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has notified Agnew’s family of the decision being overturned by an independent magistrate.

The investigative unit has reported a GAC consulate case management officer has written to Kiara’s parents and said: “The verdict was overturned by the judge, however, I am also learning that the lawyers of the accused have placed an ‘amparo’ on this decision. My understanding is that the amparo is a mechanism that allows a person to challenge the judge’s decision.” 

W5 has reportedly learned that Friesen’s lawyer has appealed the decision in a process which could take months. It is unclear the status of Friesen in Canada.

Recently, Friesen also made his first public statement after Agnew’s killing, reiterating his innocence.

Agnew’s aunt, Tanya Agnew reportedly told W5: “Now we can say, ‘Ryan Friesen murdered Kiara Agnew.’ We can say that. 

“And that’s powerful in itself because we have been muted and threatened.

“And now we don’t have to say ‘allegedly’ or ‘in our belief,’ we can now say ‘Ryan Friesen murdered Kiara Agnew.’ 

“And that is such a powerful statement. And I’m so proud to be able to say it.”

Protests calling for a ‘fair trial’ in the case have taken place around Canada since her death in 2023.

The documentary based on the W5’s investigation of Agnew’s case, titled ‘If I’m Ever Found Dead’, will be aired on Saturday, January 24th at 7 p.m. on CTV.