A 31-year-old Colombian woman tragically died after undergoing a cosmetic procedure in her Queens home, carried out by a man without a medical license. The case has sparked serious concerns about illegal beauty procedures being marketed on social media.
Procedure Turns Fatal
Maria Penaloza Cabrera, a mother of two, was declared brain-dead on March 28 after suffering cardiac arrest during a botched butt lift implant removal performed by 38-year-old Felipe Hoyos-Foronda. The unlicensed man reportedly administered lidocaine, a local anesthetic, using a syringe. Cabrera died on April 11 after being removed from life support.
According to the National Library of Medicine, lidocaine is FDA-approved but can become toxic if used incorrectly. Prosecutors allege lidocaine toxicity as the likely cause of Cabrera’s death.
Sister Speaks Out
Maria’s sister, Linney Penaloza Cabrera, revealed that Maria underwent the procedure based on a recommendation from a friend. “She went there because a friend had already gone there for an operation and recommended him. A friend who went with Maria called and said she was taken away in an ambulance, but she didn’t know how bad it was,” she told the New York Daily News. “We never imagined this would happen.”
Hours of Attempted Revival
An internal NYPD report cited by The New York Times states that doctors spent over two hours trying to revive Cabrera once she was intubated at the hospital. Despite their efforts, she was declared to have no brain activity and was “not likely to survive.”
Suspect Arrested at Airport
Hoyos-Foronda attempted to flee to Colombia but was arrested at JFK International Airport. Investigators tracked him through his car’s license plate, which was seen on the Van Wyck Expressway. He now faces charges of second-degree assault and unauthorized practice of a profession. “Whenever circumstances change in a case, we re-examine the charges,” said the Queens District Attorney’s Office, as quoted by NY Post. “This remains an active and ongoing investigation, and we cannot provide further comment.”
A TikTok Clinic and a Tragic Ending
Authorities say Hoyos-Foronda was running an illegal liposuction clinic out of a residence in Ditmars Steinway, New York. He promoted cosmetic procedures—including Botox and more—via now-deleted TikTok videos and photos, as reported by USA Today.
A GoFundMe page set up by Cabrera’s family confirms that life support was removed on April 11. She leaves behind two young children.
The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office is still determining the official cause of death.
