New York woman dies after botched butt implant removal surgery by fake doctor

A young mother in New York City has died following a botched cosmetic surgery performed by an unlicensed practitioner, according to an update posted by her family on a GoFundMe page. Maria Penaloza Cabrera passed away on April 11, weeks after undergoing a butt lift implant removal procedure at her home in Queens on March 28.

The procedure was allegedly carried out by 38-year-old Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, who administered lidocaine to Cabrera via a syringe. Shortly after the injection, Cabrera went into cardiac arrest. She was rushed to a hospital, where doctors later determined that she had no brain activity and was unlikely to survive.

Authorities said Hoyos-Foronda had been promoting his unlicensed medical services on TikTok, advertising procedures such as Botox injections and cosmetic surgeries. His posts reportedly included videos and photos of people undergoing treatments, which he allegedly offered at discounted prices to attract clients.

Following the failed procedure, Hoyos-Foronda was apprehended at John F. Kennedy International Airport while attempting to flee the country to Colombia. He was taken into custody the same day and charged with practising medicine without a licence and second-degree assault.

The official cause of Cabrera’s death has not yet been determined, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is conducting an investigation.

Cabrera, originally from Colombia, leaves behind two young children. Her family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds to bring her relatives to the US and support her funeral arrangements. As of now, the fundraiser has collected just over USD 6,000 of its USD 20,000 goal.