The heartbreaking story of Wildelis Rosa, a young officer and Army Reservist whose life ended just days after a Brazilian butt lift in Miami

She served her country overseas. She served her city with compassion. But just days after celebrating her birthday with a trip to Miami, 26-year-old New Orleans police officer Wildelis Rosa was gone.

Now her devastated family is demanding answers.
Officer Wildelis Rosa served New Orleans with pride before her sudden passing at 26. Source: New Orleans Police Department

A Gift Turned Tragic

Rosa had just returned from a military deployment in Kuwait when she decided to treat herself to a popular cosmetic procedure, the Brazilian butt lift, or BBL. She told her family she was heading to Florida to celebrate her birthday. What she didn’t say was that she had booked an appointment at Prestige Plastic Surgery Clinic.

She arrived in Miami on March 18. The next day, she underwent surgery that involved removing fat from 12 areas of her body and injecting it into her buttocks. The procedure cost $7,495, and Rosa was discharged just one hour later.

“Extreme Pain” and Silence

From the moment she began recovery, something felt off. Rosa was in “extreme pain” at her follow-up appointment. At the short-term rental where she stayed with a friend, her symptoms worsened. Her blood pressure dropped., her lips turned purple and her legs went numb.
Prestige Plastic Surgery Clinic. Source: Google Maps
She texted her friend that she was having “complications.” Later that day, she finally told her family about the surgery. Her older sister, Anamin Vazquez, said the text messages stopped soon after.

“I texted her and said, ‘I hope you’re doing okay. You’re enjoying your birthday.’ But there was no answer back.”

Rosa collapsed in the bathroom that night. Her friend found her unresponsive the next morning and performed CPR. But it was too late.

Official Cause of Death

According to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner, Rosa died from a pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot in the lungs often linked to post-surgical complications.
Wildelis Rosa’s family says she had just returned from Army Reserve deployment before undergoing the surgery Source: Jam Press
Officials said Prestige Plastic Surgery did not neglect Rosa, but her family believes doctors missed clear warning signs.

“That’s the part that we have to live with,” her sister said. “It was unnecessary for her to die … to die like that.”

Loved by Her Community

The New Orleans Police Department released a heartfelt statement following her death:

“Officer Rosa served with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the people of New Orleans. Her absence leaves a void that cannot be filled.”

Though her death was not duty-related, NOPD Superintendent Anne E. Kirkpatrick confirmed it shook the entire department.
Rosa in uniform during her time with the New Orleans Police Department. Source: Jam Press

The BBL Controversy

While BBLs remain one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries in the U.S., they are also considered among the most dangerous. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, about 1 in 3,000 patients dies from the procedure, most commonly due to embolism.

Miami, a hotspot for affordable BBLs, has seen multiple tragic cases in recent years, including the 2023 death of reality TV star Jacky Oh. Plastic surgery experts continue to urge patients to seek only board-certified surgeons for any cosmetic procedure.

Gone Too Soon

Wildelis Rosa was a daughter, a sister, a soldier, and a public servant. She made it home safely from overseas, only to lose her life chasing a dream of transformation.

Now, her story stands as a painful reminder: even routine procedures carry real risks, and no life is too small to be mourned.