The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office homicide unit is actively investigating the tragic death of Jennifer Arias, a 29-year-old mother who passed away in August following a liposuction and butt lift procedure at New Life Plastic Surgery in Miami. This information was uncovered in a report by Telemundo 51 Investigates, released on Thursday.
Jennifer had traveled from New York on August 13 to undergo surgery at the clinic located in southwest Miami. Just hours after the operation, she was urgently transferred to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The Miami-Dade County medical examiner identified the cause of death as a fat embolism in both lungs, resulting from the procedures, and ruled her death accidental.
Her seven-year-old daughter, Jenella, is now left without her mother. "My baby is just 7 years old. She is left without her mom," expressed a grieving Mónica Arias, Jennifer's mother, in an interview with Telemundo 51 Investigates.
The family claims that the surgeon responsible for the procedure was Julio Clavijo-Álvarez, a doctor primarily practicing at New Life, who also promotes his work on YouTube.
Mónica Arias voiced her frustration, questioning, "How does this doctor continue to perform these surgeries?" She further added, "I want justice for my daughter."
This claim stems solely from the family's account and has not been legally confirmed. Attempts by Telemundo 51 Investigates to reach the surgeon, the clinic, and their lawyers went unanswered before the report's publication.
Other Related Fatalities
Jennifer is not the only victim: According to Telemundo 51's research, which reviewed civil lawsuits and state and county documents, she is at least the sixth patient to die following a procedure at New Life since 2018.
Previous cases include Naimy Sucetz, 41, who died in 2022 from a blood clot in her lungs after undergoing liposuction and a tummy tuck at the same clinic. Reports indicate her surgeon was also Clavijo-Álvarez.
In 2018, Adianet Galbán González, a 30-year-old Cuban resident of Naples, Florida, passed away at the Kendall Regional Medical Center after a fat transfer to the buttocks at New Life.
Surgeon's Controversial History
Clavijo-Álvarez has a tumultuous administrative record, with five complaints since 2022 filed with the Florida Department of Health. In 2024, the Florida Board of Medicine reprimanded him and imposed a fine of $15,000 plus $11,085 in case costs to resolve three of those complaints, which involved improper prescriptions, safety violations at an outpatient center, and a misplaced drain during a Brazilian Butt Lift.
As part of the settlement, he neither admitted nor denied the allegations. Since then, the American Board of Plastic Surgery lists him as "Certified: On Probation."
The fifth complaint, reported by the Miami Herald, alleges that the surgeon failed to properly document bleeding during a liposuction and BBL performed on a 35-year-old patient in March 2025, who required a blood transfusion.
Clavijo-Álvarez did not respond to the Herald. His medical license (ME146248) remains active, expiring in January 2028.
Meanwhile, New Life has faced over a dozen lawsuits for alleged medical negligence in the past six years. In court documents related to two deaths, the clinic denied liability, arguing that the doctors operated as independent contractors.
Understanding the Risks and Legal Issues in Cosmetic Surgery
What caused Jennifer Arias's death?
Jennifer Arias died from a fat embolism in both her lungs, which occurred as a consequence of the cosmetic procedures she underwent. Her death was ruled accidental by the medical examiner.
Who is responsible for the surgeries at New Life Plastic Surgery?
The family of Jennifer Arias claims that Julio Clavijo-Álvarez was the surgeon responsible for the procedures. However, this has not been legally confirmed, and the clinic argues that doctors work as independent contractors.
How many deaths have occurred at New Life since 2018?
According to investigations, at least six patients have died following surgeries at New Life since 2018, raising serious concerns about the clinic's practices and safety standards.
What actions have been taken against Julio Clavijo-Álvarez?
Julio Clavijo-Álvarez has faced several complaints and was reprimanded by the Florida Board of Medicine in 2024, which included fines and costs. Despite these issues, he continues to hold an active medical license.