Queens Man Charged in Fatal Botched Cosmetic Surgery Case

NEW YORK — Felipe Hoyos-Foronda has been arraigned on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of 31-year-old Maria Peñaloza, who allegedly died during a cosmetic surgery performed in his Astoria apartment.

Incident Overview

Authorities state that Hoyos-Foronda, who posed as a medical professional on social media platform TikTok, performed a procedure to remove butt implants from Peñaloza. During this unauthorized surgery, he reportedly injected her with lidocaine.

Tragically, Peñaloza suffered cardiac arrest during the procedure and was later declared brain-dead, leaving behind two young children.

Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Prosecutors revealed that Hoyos-Foronda attempted to flee to Colombia prior to his arrest at JFK Airport. He appeared in Queens Criminal Court, where he faced the manslaughter charge on Monday.

Family Response

Peñaloza’s family expressed their grief in court, having traveled from Colombia to demand justice for their daughter. “I never thought she was going to die like that,” said her mother, Gladys Cabrera Medina. She continued, “She told me, ‘Mommy, you’re going to live with me and the kids.’”

Her father, Jaime Peñaloza, shared his emotions about the loss, stating, “To me, he’s an assassin. He’s a menace to society because he was ready to flee at the airport.”

Conclusion

The case underscores the vital importance of verifying medical credentials when considering cosmetic procedures. As the investigation continues, the family of Maria Peñaloza seeks justice for their unimaginable loss.