Protests planned around Canada calling for new conviction in Kiara Agnew’s killing to be ‘enforced’

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Multiple protests are being planned to be held around Canada asking the police to detain a man newly found guilty of killing a 23-year-old in Mexico. 

Ryan Friesen was recently declared guilty of killing Kiara Agnew, a resident of Dawson Creek who died in 2023 in her hotel near Playa del Carmen in Mexico in 2023.  

He had been acquitted of femicide in 2024, but that verdict was overturned in a recent review of the case. Friesen is appealing that decision. 

Tanya Agnew, Kiara’s aunt who has previously spearheaded multiple protests calling a ‘fair trial’, shared that more protests are in the pipeline. 

In addition to this, Tanya has also launched a petition calling for the new conviction to be “enforced,” which has received 2,729 signatures as of January 28th. 

The petition has asked to “review Ryan Friesen’s status in Canada and ensure the conviction is fully recognized.” 

Tanya told Energeticcity.ca the support is overwhelming and bittersweet. 

“We have been fighting for justice for Kiara for almost three years and we have finally achieved that justice and now nothing is coming from it,” she said. 

“So now we’re having to fight to make sure justice is served.”

Tanya shared that the community is rallying with the family to help support her fight. 

She said: “For so long we have felt like we have been having to spearhead this fight and this movement and for the first time, we’ve been able to take a little step back.

“Community members have reached out to us and said, ‘we will help you, we will fight and let us take some of the fight from you.’

“Hearing those messages from community members we’ve never even met before or don’t even know Kiara and feeling their support, love and outrage is something our family will never forget.” 

Tanya also has a live House of Commons petition which has received more than 1,400 signatures to pass new legislation – ‘Kiara’s Law’ – requiring mandatory Canadian forensic autopsies in cases of suspicious deaths abroad. 

It was authorized by Ziad Aboultaif, MP representing Edmonton Manning.

Tanya shared: “His plan is to contact all the members of parliament where the signatures come from and let them know there’s people and constituents in their riding also supporting ‘Kiara’s Law’ and wants to see it move forward. 

“He can get support from other members of parliament, cross party lines to ensure ‘Kiara’s Law’ is successful and Canadians are protected in the event the unthinkable happens in foreign countries.”

Tanya found a new W5 documentary titled “If I’m Ever Found Dead’’ about the investigation into Kiara’s killing was “very fair and objective.” 

She said: “I was still kind of shaken by the findings. Seeing the face of the first responder who tried life-saving measures on Kiara, even though he knew it was too late, impacted our family.

“Seeing the face of the defence witness, the doctor who reviewed the blood splatter evidence, when he found out that Ryan was found innocent, it’s those moments that stood out to our family.” 

Tanya wants the community to keep sharing and signing. 

“If there’s anybody in your community that wants to set up a petition to make it very well known we want Ryan in prison, just reach out to us on [Facebook groups] Justice for Kiara or Justice for Kiara Protests, we would be happy to help you set up those petitions and advertise on your behalf.

“We want to thank the community for the support. For the first time in a long time, it feels like we’re not fighting this fight alone and it means everything to our family and I know Kiara would be so proud.” 

The protests are to be held in Dawson Creek, Edmonton, Moncton, New Brunswick and Ontario. 

The Dawson Creek protest has been scheduled for February 7th, 2026 at 12 p.m. 

Details on the location of the protest will be decided in due course, here.