Fort St. John protest planned over status in Canada of man found guilty of killing girlfriend in Mexico

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A protest has been scheduled in Fort St. John objecting to the “freedom” of a man newly found guilty of killing his girlfriend in Mexico. 

Ryan Friesen has been found guilty of killing 23-year-old Kiara Agnew in Mexico in 2023. 

He was initially acquitted of femicide in Mexico in 2023, but that decision was overturned after the case went under “active review.”

As he appeals this decision, Friesen is in Canada.

The protest will happen on Sunday, February 8th at 12 p.m. in the empty lot across from Subway and Mr Mikes. 

Naomi Agnew, Kiara’s stepmother, told Energeticcity.ca: “We’re holding a protest [for] the fact that Ryan Friesen [who is] now found guilty of femicide in Mexico, but there’s nothing Canada is doing until they finish the process in Mexico and extradite him back there.”

Naomi told Energeticcity.ca she feels Friesen should not be walking free for the time – possibly reportedly up to a year – it takes for the conclusion of his appeal in Mexico. 

“[We would] like to see Canada step up and put him at least in a Canadian jail while this is going on or [have an] ankle monitor bracelet or something to try to protect the citizens by [knowing] his whereabouts,” she said. 

Naomi alleges Friesen has been seen in Fort McMurray, Grand Prairie, Dawson Creek and Chetwynd areas. Energeticcity.ca is not able to verify this claim.

She shared: “We [want] some form of protection for all the girls that could come in contact with him because we see what his anger outburst did in the brutal beating that Kiara suffered at his hands. We don’t want someone else to lose their life or be harmed by him.” 

Denise Brundson, partner for Bennett Jones LLP and Friesen’s lawyer, said an appeal has been filed for the December 2025 decision. 

In a written statement, Brundson said: “The past two years have been a tremendously challenging and emotional time for Ryan, his family and Kiara’s family, including Kiara’s mom, who supports Ryan’s innocence. 

“Despite his acquittal based on exculpatory DNA evidence, Ryan is once again being forced to defend his innocence for a crime he did not commit.”

Tanya Agnew, Kiara’s aunt, has also launched a petition to ‘enforce’ the guilty conviction on Friesen and has received more than 3,000 signatures as of January 30th. 

Multiple other protests have been organized in Dawson Creek, Edmonton, Moncton, New Brunswick and Ontario by Tanya. 

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

To sign the petition, click here.