A 21-year-old police officer has tragically died following complications from a liposculpture procedure, sparking calls from her family for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Yarli Zulay Merino Gomez underwent the cosmetic surgery at a private clinic in the Santa Domingo area of the Dominican Republic on Saturday, April 19. The procedure, which focuses on contouring and sculpting the body, reportedly led to serious medical complications later that night.
She was rushed to a hospital, where doctors made frantic efforts to save her. Sadly, Yarli stopped breathing in the early hours of Sunday, April 20. Her remains were transferred to a forensic centre for an autopsy, but the official cause of death has not yet been released.
Authorities have launched an investigation, while Yarli’s grieving family are demanding justice and transparency in the case. The young officer, who lived in the Pajón area, was recognised for her dedication to law enforcement.
Yarli’s death comes amid growing concern over unregulated cosmetic procedures in the region. It follows the case of María Paz Peñaloza, a 31-year-old mother of two from New York, who died after an alleged fake surgeon attempted to remove her butt implants in a makeshift clinic.
Prosecutors say Felipe Hoyos-Foronda, 38, falsely claimed to be a certified Colombian doctor on TikTok. He allegedly administered lidocaine to María during the procedure on March 28, causing her to go into cardiac arrest. She was later declared brain-dead and died on April 11. Hoyos-Foronda was arrested while allegedly trying to flee to Colombia and now faces prosecution.
Both cases have intensified calls for stricter oversight of cosmetic procedures and enforcement against illegal medical practices.
