DAWSON CREEK -- Update: According to the Agnew family lawyer, “The judge considered that Kiara’s death was carried out by two or more people, because she was badly beaten and Ryan has no serious injuries.”
Genetic tests also allegedly show profiles of several people, including Friesen.
“The criminal judge issued a sentence of freedom, but the prosecution and legal counsel are going to appeal that sentence,” according to information obtained by CJDC-TV on behalf of the family’s lawyer.
Kiara’s aunt, Katlyn Levesque, also provided the following reactionary statement: “This verdict means there is potential for a real threat to vulnerable women in whichever community he may reside. Canadian women should have the right to know and to be aware of who lives in their communities and who may be a threat to individuals or society.”
Levesque cites journals, text messages, photos, social media posts, and testimony that highlight a history of abuse against Kiara at the hands of Friesen prior to the Mexico trip, however, none of the allegations have been proven in a court of law.
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A Dawson Creek man accused of killing his girlfriend in Mexico has been found not guilty in connection to the death of 23-year-old Kiara Agnew.
According to the Agnew family lawyer, a judge found Ryan Friesen innocent because ‘injuries on his fists and body do not correspond to the injuries caused to Kiara Agnew.’
“We are appalled by the decision. Given all the evidence provided by the prosecution, this is not the outcome we were expecting,” Michele Agnew, the mother of the victim, told CJDC-TV.
The trial was held in a Cancun courtroom. Friesen, 28, faced a charge of femicide in connection with Kiara’s death in March of 2023.
“Finding out via social media before our lawyers had a chance to respond is disgusting,” said Agnew.
The couple had travelled to the Mexican Riviera to celebrate Kiara’s 24th birthday when she was killed at a resort in Playa del Carmen.
Following the discovery of Agnew’s body, the Secretariat of Public Security in Solidaridad reported detaining a man after “a lifeless woman was found with possible marks of violence in a hotel located in the Xcalacoco neighbourhood.”
Autopsy reports allegedly revealed DNA evidence of Kiara’s attacker under her fingernails, as well as her blood and tissue on the accused’s body.
“The prosecution will be appealing this verdict,” said Agnew.
Sources close to Friesen told CJDC-TV News that he has maintained his innocence since his arrest in Mexico, where he was being held in prison for the past 18 months awaiting the trial.
