US Woman Dies After Botched Plastic Surgery by Unlicensed Doctor

Maria Penaloza Cabrera, a 31-year-old mother of two, died following a cosmetic procedure conducted illegally in her New York home by an unlicensed practitioner. The accused was arrested while trying to flee the country.

Queens, New York | April 20, 2025
In a tragic case highlighting the dangers of unregulated cosmetic procedures, Maria Penaloza Cabrera, a 31-year-old Colombian national and mother of two, died on April 11 after being declared brain-dead from complications during a butt lift implant removal surgery.

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The procedure was performed on March 28 at Cabrera’s Queens home by Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, a 38-year-old unlicensed practitioner. Authorities say Hoyos-Foronda injected lidocaine, a local anesthetic, which triggered cardiac arrest. Despite hospital efforts lasting over two hours, Cabrera never regained consciousness.

“We never imagined this would happen,” said her sister Linney Cabrera. “She went to him because a friend had recommended him.”

Doctors confirmed zero brain activity shortly after Cabrera was hospitalized. She was removed from life support nearly two weeks later.

Also Read: Unbelievable: Decapitated U.S. Woman Gets Head Attached to Body Again After 37 Surgeries

Key Developments:

Felipe Hoyos-Foronda was arrested at JFK Airport while attempting to flee to Colombia.
He has been charged with second-degree assault and unauthorized medical practice.
Authorities say he ran an illegal liposuction clinic out of a residential property and promoted it on TikTok.
Prosecutors suspect the cause of death to be lidocaine toxicity.
A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $6,400 to help Cabrera’s family travel to the US.

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The Queens District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the case is ongoing and charges may be upgraded depending on the final autopsy report from the Chief Medical Examiner.

Tags:

cosmetic surgery death, Maria Cabrera, Queens botched surgery, unlicensed doctor arrested, US cosmetic surgery fatality, Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, lidocaine overdose, medical malpractice, GoFundMe Maria Cabrera, New York plastic surgery crime

Misha Bhatia