Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Queens man indicted for manslaughter after illegal surgery kills mother of 2, DA says
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 28, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Apr 28, 2025
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Queens man has been indicted on manslaughter charges after allegedly performing an illegal cosmetic procedure that led to a woman's death, authorities said Monday.
Felipe Hoyos Foronda, 37, was accused of conducting an unlicensed butt implant removal surgery inside his Astoria apartment on March 28, according to the Queens district attorney’s office. Prosecutors said he injected 31-year-old Maria Penaloza with lidocaine and saline, causing her to go into cardiac arrest.
Penaloza had arrived at the apartment with a friend, who waited in a separate room while the procedure was performed, authorities said. The mother of two was left brain dead and died after being removed from life support on April 11, authorities said.
Hoyos Foronda, who does not have a license to practice medicine in the U.S., was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight with an ultimate destination of Colombia, authorities said.
A court-authorized search of his apartment later uncovered medical equipment, including syringes, injectables and a binder listing other individuals.
He is charged with second-degree manslaughter, second-degree assault and unauthorized practice of a profession. His attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said she intends to seek justice for the “botched surgical procedure.”
“My thoughts are with the victim’s family as we seek justice on her behalf,” Katz said in a statement Monday.
Tagged
new york city
queens
public safety
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Judge temporarily halts overnight construction at NYC’s Chinatown jail
The order comes after Chinatown residents sued the city over noise, health concerns and years of planned after-hours construction.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 26, 2026 at 7:08 p.m. ET
Pressure grows on Mamdani to reform admissions to NYC specialized high schools
A former top-school official will join councilmembers and other prominent educators at an event focused on specialized high schools.
By
Elizabeth Kim
News
Pressure grows on Mamdani to reform admissions to NYC specialized high schools
A former top-school official will join councilmembers and other prominent educators at an event focused on specialized high schools.
By
Elizabeth Kim
Police search for man in Central Park sexual assault
By
Charles Lane
Rockefeller Center's 2026 Christmas tree is a 76-foot spruce from Upstate New York
By
Giulia Heyward
‘A killer cop lives here’: Brooklyn arrests raise questions about limits of free speech
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .