A California woman has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for administering fatal silicone butt injections that led to the death of an actress.
Libby Adame received her sentence on Tuesday, Nov. 5, after being convicted of second-degree murder in October. The conviction stemmed from the death of actress Cindyana Santangelo, who passed away shortly after receiving silicone injections from Adame, according to The Los Angeles Times. Santangelo, a 59-year-old Malibu resident, was known for her roles on Married … With Children, ER, and CSI: Miami.
Jurors reached their verdict on Oct. 9 after deliberating for just over a day, NBC Los Angeles reported. Following the decision, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sam Ohta ordered Adame to remain in custody without bail and later denied her request for a new trial prior to sentencing.
Adame, 55, was also found guilty of practicing medicine without a license, The Los Angeles Times reported. Prosecutors said she injected silicone oil into Santangelo’s buttocks, which caused a fatal embolism.
Adame’s defense team argued that she did not personally conduct the procedure and had only provided a consultation. However, prosecutors presented text messages exchanged between Adame and Santangelo that indicated she did perform the injections, according to ABC 7.
Adame had a prior conviction in 2024 for involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of 26-year-old Karissa Rajpaul, who also died after receiving silicone butt injections in 2019, The Los Angeles Times reported. Adame’s daughter, Alicia Galaz, was convicted in that earlier case as well.
In the 2024 case, Adame was sentenced to three years in state prison but was released on time served.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has repeatedly warned against the use of silicone injections for cosmetic enhancement. In a 2017 statement, the agency cautioned “consumers and health care practitioners about the serious injuries and disfigurement that can result from using injectable silicone or products being falsely marketed as FDA-approved dermal fillers for the purpose of enhancing the size of their buttocks, breasts and other body parts.”
