A 26-year-old New Orleans police officer and U.S. Army reservist tragically died after undergoing a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure in Miami this past March, according to multiple reports.
Wildelis Rosa traveled to South Florida on March 18 for the cosmetic surgery, which involves transferring fat from various areas of the body to the buttocks to enhance its shape and size. NBC6 Miami reported that Rosa underwent pre-operative testing at Prestige Plastic Surgery Clinic the next day.
According to an invoice reviewed by the outlet, Rosa paid $7,495 for the procedure, which included fat removal from 12 different areas of her body. Her family says they didn’t know she was having surgery — Rosa told them she was in Miami to celebrate her birthday. On March 22, her 26th birthday, she informed her family about the surgery. Her sister, Anamin Vazquez, said they immediately sensed something was wrong.
“We just had that gut feeling,” Vazquez told NBC6. She texted her sister later that day but received no reply.
The following morning, March 23, Rosa collapsed in the bathroom of her accommodation. A friend staying with her found her unresponsive and attempted CPR, but Rosa could not be revived.
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office later confirmed Rosa died of a pulmonary embolism caused by blood clots linked to the cosmetic procedure.
Vazquez said Rosa had complained of severe pain the day after surgery and had been discharged from the clinic just one hour after the procedure. “She said… she was having complications,” Vazquez told NBC6, referring to a message Rosa had sent to another friend.
Rosa had recently returned from a deployment in Kuwait with the U.S. Army Reserves and had aspirations of joining the FBI. Her family described her as driven, kind, and full of promise. She was the youngest of five siblings.
“She had a very bright and promising future,” Vazquez said, urging others to think carefully before undergoing such surgeries. “I hope her story serves as a cautionary tale.”
The New Orleans Police Department mourned her loss in a Facebook post, writing:
“The New Orleans Police Department is heartbroken by the sudden passing of Officer Wildelis Rosa, a cherished member of our NOPD family. While her passing was not related to active duty, this loss is deeply felt by all who had the privilege of working alongside her.”
The department praised Rosa for her integrity, compassion, and dedication to serving the people of New Orleans.
A former teacher also remembered her as one of the “sweetest, kindest, intelligent, caring, and compassionate people” he had ever known, according to The Mirror.
