NEW ORLEANS, LA — Heartbreak and shock have swept through the New Orleans community following the tragic death of 26-year-old Wildelis Rosa, a young Louisiana police officer who passed away just days after undergoing a high-risk Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) in Miami. A dedicated public servant with aspirations to work for the FBI, Rosa’s life was tragically cut short in pursuit of a cosmetic enhancement that has grown in popularity but remains one of the most dangerous elective procedures.
Originally from New Orleans, Rosa traveled to Miami—known for its more affordable plastic surgery options and a wide range of clinics—for the BBL procedure, which involves removing fat from various parts of the body and injecting it into the buttocks. According to reports, doctors removed fat from 12 different areas of her body, a level of extensive liposuction that significantly increases the risk of complications.
Just three days after the procedure, Rosa’s condition began to deteriorate. She experienced dangerously low blood pressure and difficulty breathing. Her family revealed that she collapsed in her bathroom and was found unresponsive. Despite CPR efforts, she could not be revived and was pronounced dead the following morning.
A blood clot that traveled to her lungs was determined to be the cause of death—an all-too-common and fatal risk associated with aggressive fat-transfer procedures like the BBL. Rosa’s death occurred in March, but it was only publicly confirmed by her family this week, who say they weren’t initially aware she had gone through with the surgery.
Her sister, Anamin Vazquez, spoke candidly about the shock and sorrow the family felt.
“We had just that feeling in our guts, like something was wrong,” she said. “I texted her and said, ‘I hope you’re doing okay, you’re enjoying your birthday.’ But there was no answer back.”
Rosa had reportedly spent around $7,500 on the procedure—an investment that ultimately cost her her life. Her family continues to grapple with the sudden loss, questioning the risks associated with cosmetic surgery and urging others to deeply consider the consequences before undergoing such procedures.
“We all want to feel beautiful, but at what cost?” one family member remarked. “Wildelis had so much more to do, so much life ahead of her.”
Known for her passion for law enforcement, Rosa was remembered as a vibrant, determined young woman who served her community with dedication and heart. Her death has sparked fresh conversations about the dangers of cosmetic surgeries, particularly the Brazilian Butt Lift, which carries one of the highest mortality rates of any aesthetic operation.
As her loved ones mourn, the law enforcement community has also paid tribute to a rising star who left this world far too soon. Officer Wildelis Rosa is remembered not for the procedure that took her life, but for the life she lived in service of others—with strength, ambition, and compassion.
Rest in peace, Officer Rosa.
