US Police Officer, 26, Dies After Undergoing Brazilian Butt-Lift Procedure

The Miami-Dade medical examiner ruled her cause of death as a pulmonary embolism from blood clots associated with cosmetic surgery.

A 26-year-old police officer and U.S. Army Reservist died following complications from a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) procedure in South Florida, her family and officials confirmed.

Wildelis Rosa, who had recently returned from a deployment in Kuwait, underwent the cosmetic surgery at Prestige Plastic Surgery Clinic in Miami after completing her pre-op bloodwork on March 19. On March 20, surgeons removed fat from 12 areas of her body and injected it into her buttocks. Rosa paid $7,495 for the procedure.

She was staying at a short-term rental during her recovery and initially kept the surgery private. On March 22 — her birthday — Rosa told her family about the procedure, prompting immediate concern from her sister, Anamin Vazquez.

“We had this gut feeling something wasn’t right,” Vazquez told People. “I texted her, wishing her a happy birthday, hoping she was doing okay — but got no response.”

The following morning, on March 23, Rosa was found unresponsive in the bathroom by a friend who had been staying with her. CPR was attempted, but she could not be revived. She died just one day after her 26th birthday.

According to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner, Rosa’s cause of death was a pulmonary embolism caused by blood clots related to the cosmetic surgery.

Her friend reported that Rosa had attended a follow-up appointment the day after surgery, where she complained of “extreme pain.” Back at the rental, her symptoms worsened — she struggled to breathe, had significantly low blood pressure, and showed signs of distress, including pale skin, dilated pupils, purple lips, and numbness in her legs and feet.

Rosa’s family hopes her tragic story serves as a warning.

“She had just come back from serving our country, and this happened,” her sister said. “We want her death to be a cautionary tale for anyone considering these surgeries.”

Rosa’s death is part of a growing concern in South Florida over cosmetic surgery-related fatalities. According to the New York Post, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner has documented 25 deaths from such procedures — performed by various doctors and clinics — in the past three and a half years.