A tragic incident has recently come to light, where a 31-year-old mother-of-two lost her life after undergoing a botched cosmetic surgery procedure in her Queens home. Maria Penaloza Cabrera, a Colombian national, passed away on April 11, following a disastrous butt lift implant removal surgery performed by an unlicensed practitioner.
The procedure, conducted on March 28 by 38-year-old Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, took a fatal turn when Cabrera went into cardiac arrest after being administered lidocaine through a syringe. Lidocaine, a local anesthetic and FDA-approved cardiac medication, proved to be lethal in this case, leading to devastating consequences.
Cabrera’s sister, Linney Peaaloza Cabrera, shared that Maria had chosen Hoyos-Foronda based on a friend’s recommendation, unaware of the grave risks involved. The family was shocked by the tragic turn of events, as doctors battled for two and a half hours to revive Maria after she was intubated at the hospital. Unfortunately, she was declared brain-dead and deemed unlikely to survive.
The perpetrator, Hoyos-Foronda, was apprehended at John F Kennedy International Airport while attempting to flee to Colombia on the same day as the incident. He now faces charges of second-degree assault and unauthorized practice of a profession. The authorities suspect lidocaine toxicity as the cause of Maria Cabrera’s untimely demise, emphasizing the dangers of improper administration of medications.
Further investigations revealed Hoyos-Foronda’s illegal liposuction clinic operating out of a home in Ditmars Steinway, New York, where he promoted various cosmetic procedures on platforms like TikTok. Disturbingly, his now-deleted page featured videos and photos of individuals undergoing treatments, raising concerns about his unethical practices.
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been set up by Maria Cabrera’s family to support her relatives’ travel from Colombia to the US for her final rites. With almost $6,400 raised towards the $20,000 goal, the fundraiser aims to provide closure to her loved ones during this difficult time.
Maria Cabrera leaves behind two young children, adding to the heartbreak caused by this senseless loss. As the Chief Medical Examiner’s office continues to investigate the official cause of death, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with unlicensed and unregulated cosmetic procedures.
