Global Affairs Canada is responding after a Dawson Creek man was declared guilty by a Mexican magistrate of killing his girlfriend, Kiara Agnew, at five-star resort in March 2023.
In response to the not guilty ruling being overturned, Global Affairs issued a statement that said, “Global Affairs Canada is aware of reports that a verdict has been overturned in a Mexican court -- concerning a Canadian citizen. Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed.”
Kiara was found beaten to death in a resort laundry room, with Ryan sleeping next to her dead body.
Friesen was immediately arrested and charged with her killing at the time, but was found not guilty in September 2024 after a judge-only trial.
Kiara’s family learned of the decision being overturned by the independent magistrate earlier today after being notified by Global Affairs Canada.
“... 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,” a GAC consulate case management officer wrote to Kiara’s parents, Michele and Trevor.
Lawyer’s statement
W5 has learned that the process of Ryan’s appeal will be concluded within months and that he will remain in Canada until the resolution of his appeal. He faces up to 50 years in jail in Mexico if the appeal is unsuccessful.
“Ryan remains committed to defending his innocence,” reads a statement from Denise Brunsdon, a partner with Bennett Jones LLP.
“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,” the statement continues.
Brunsdon also wrote that Ryan himself would not provide further comment, citing the ongoing investigation and “misinformation being deliberately spread through unfair coverage.
“Ryan remains committed to defending his innocence – including based on clear DNA evidence – and an appeal of the December 2025 decision has already been filed to the further Mexican appeals court (Amparo), where a panel of 3 federal judges will now review the case,” said Brunsdon.
‘Ryan Friesen murdered Kiara Agnew’
Kiara’s aunt, Tanya, who has long been a driving force in organizing protests across Canada to bring Kiara’s killer to justice, spoke to W5 in an interview shortly after learning of Ryan being declared guilty.
“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,” Tanya said.
“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.”
Tanya added that she feels like her niece can now peacefully rest.
“We have been fighting for justice for Kiara, and we achieved it,” she said.
“I hope we are a message to any other family going through this, never give up, even when people say it’s impossible. Don’t you ever give up on your people.”
The couple, from Dawson Creek, B.C., had travelled to the Grand Sunset Princess Hotel in Playa del Carmen to celebrate her 24th birthday.
Hours later, Kiara was beaten to death. When the couple was found in the laundry room by a resort cleaner, Ryan was covered in blood with swollen fists and bruises.