by Los Angeles, CA — A Riverside County woman who performed illegal cosmetic procedures has been convicted of second-degree murder after a Los Angeles jury found her responsible for a Malibu woman’s death caused by silicone oil buttocks injections.
Conviction After Repeat Offense
On Thursday, 55-year-old Libby Adame was found guilty of second-degree murder and practicing medicine without certification in connection with the March 24 death of 59-year-old Cindyana Santangelo of Malibu. Prosecutors said Santangelo died from a silicone embolism shortly after being rushed to a Ventura County hospital.
According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Adame faces 15 years to life in prison when sentenced on November 5.
This case marks Adame’s second deadly encounter linked to illegal cosmetic injections. In March 2024, she and her daughter, Alicia Galaz, were convicted of involuntary manslaughter for the October 15, 2019, death of 26-year-old Karissa Rajpaul, who died following silicone buttocks injections administered at a Sherman Oaks home.
Prior Warnings Ignored
During closing arguments, Deputy District Attorney Lee Cernok reminded jurors that Adame had been explicitly warned during her first trial about the dangers of her actions.
“The judge told her she could be charged with murder if someone died again,” Cernok said. “Did she know better? The answer is a resounding yes.”
Following the 2024 conviction in Rajpaul’s case, Adame was sentenced to four years and four months, and her daughter received three years and eight months. Both were credited for electronic monitoring time served after their arrests in 2021.
The 2024 Malibu Death
Prosecutors said Adame visited Santangelo’s home in March 2024, where the unlicensed procedure allegedly took place. Shortly after the visit, Santangelo experienced medical distress and later died at the hospital.
Authorities determined her cause of death to be a silicone embolism, consistent with the complications that killed Rajpaul five years earlier.
Adame, known in cosmetic underground circles as “the butt lady” or “La Tia,” was arrested by Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies on May 12 and has remained behind bars since.
Defense Argument Rejected
During trial, defense attorney J. Michael Flanagan argued that Adame did not perform any injections that day, claiming she acted only as a consultant for Tijuana-based doctors who are licensed to perform such procedures.
He alleged that Santangelo already had bandages and puncture marks on her buttocks when Adame arrived for the consultation and suggested someone else performed the fatal injections.
Flanagan further contended that investigators failed to consider other suspects, saying they quickly decided Adame was solely responsible.
Despite her testimony denying involvement, jurors sided with prosecutors, who urged them to hold Adame accountable for repeatedly putting lives at risk.
Ongoing Crackdown on Illegal Cosmetic Procedures
California authorities have long warned against underground cosmetic procedures, which often involve unlicensed practitioners and industrial-grade materials such as silicone oil not approved for medical use.
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According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these illegal injections can lead to permanent disfigurement, embolism, infection, and death.
In Los Angeles and Riverside counties, multiple arrests have been made in recent years targeting individuals advertising “backyard butt lifts” and similar procedures on social media.
What Happens Next
Adame will return to court for sentencing on November 5, where she faces a potential life term in a California state prison.
Authorities have urged anyone aware of unlicensed medical activity to contact local law enforcement or the California Medical Board to prevent further tragedies.
Have thoughts on this case or experiences with unlicensed cosmetic procedures? Share your views in the comments on race-day-live.com.
