A mum-of-two died after undergoing a liposuction surgery in a secret clinic inside an apartment block.
Rosalba Rodríguez reportedly underwent the operation inside an apartment block registered as a police tax office, with local media claiming the surgeon's husband was a police officer.
Following her death in the Colombian capital of Bogotá on May 18, the property was cleared and vacated by the suspects accused of carrying out the procedure.
The victim’s cousin Milena Camargo told local media: “They did not have the appropriate licences and permits to perform the procedure.”
According to Milena, the victim’s best friend convinced her to undergo the lipo operation there.
The friend reportedly told her that the operation would be safe and much cheaper than using a registered beauty clinic.
Milena said: “She was deceived and manipulated due to her innocence and poor education level.
“She was unable to discern the situation after her best friend introduced her to the surgeon - named only as Katia who performed liposuction on my cousin.”
Hours after she entered the building, the victim’s husband received a call from her best friend to inform him that she was admitted to hospital.
After the victim was pronounced dead there, her relatives went to the residential complex to seek answers for her passing.
Milena said: “We spoke with the security guards at the complex and they told us that they took out several heavy bags and boxes and put them in a white car parked in front of the complex.”
She added: “We know that her husband is a police officer and he has delayed the investigation process.
“They completely vacated the apartment.
“Administrators authorised the removal of everything and we do not know where the woman and her accomplice are.”
Local councillor Gloria Díaz Martínez said: “A woman, apparently named Katia, performed this procedure without complying with medical standards and the qualifications to be able to do it in an apartment.”
The councillor called on the authorities to investigate Rosalba’s death as a matter of urgency.
The official said: “I want to make a passionate appeal to the authorities to find the whereabouts of this woman and her accomplices and above all, to make them pay.
“According to her husband, Rosalba lost her life in the middle of the procedure and her body was taken out of the building in a bag at around noon with a police patrol.
“Apparently, the husband of the woman who carried out the procedure works for the force.
“As a councillor and citizen, I demand that the authorities look into the situation and carry out a correct and transparent investigation into the incident.”
The Bogotá Police and the Public Prosecutor's Office have confirmed that they have opened an investigation into Rosalba’s death.
The victim leaves behind two children.
