A 29-year-old mother from New York traveled to South Florida for cosmetic surgery but never returned home.
Now, her family is speaking publicly for the first time about the loss of Jennifer Arias, saying they are still searching for answers and hoping changes can be made to prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak.
“She was beautiful, perfect,” said Jennifer’s sister, Erika Arias. “Beautiful figure. I just don’t understand what was in her mind to want to change it.”
The family is still coming to terms with the loss of the beloved daughter, sister, and mother.
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THE DAY OF THE SURGERY
Jennifer traveled from New York to Miami for liposuction and a Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL, at New Life Plastic Surgery on August 13.
“Like she literally landed in Miami on the 12th, and they brought her into surgery the next following day, early morning,” Erika said.
Jennifer’s mother, Monica Arias, said she argued with her daughter about undergoing cosmetic surgery.
“I told her, don’t do it, don’t do it,” Monica recalled.
She said she was worried something could go wrong and that Jennifer’s 7-year-old daughter, Jenella, could be left without her mother.
“If something happens to you, what will happen to your daughter?” Monica said she asked her.
Her sister, Erika, showed NBC6 Investigates the instructions Jennifer received before surgery, as well as a text message Jennifer sent her at 4:18 a.m. on the day of the procedure, which said she was heading into surgery.
Hours later, Erika said she received a troubling phone call.
“I was basically told that she isn’t doing well … she’s having trouble breathing,” Erika Arias said.
Jennifer’s father, Wilson Arias, said the family immediately headed to the airport after learning something had gone wrong.
‘THEY COULDN’T SAVE HER’
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Jennifer Arias’ parents, Wilson and Monica, holding a photo of their daughter and granddaughter, Jenella.
According to the family, while they were trying to get to Miami, Erika received a call from Julio “J.C.” Clavijo Alvarez, the doctor she says was scheduled to perform her sister’s surgery.
Dr. Alvarez is a Miami plastic surgeon who promotes his work on social media and is listed on New Life Plastic Surgery’s website.
“All what I’ve heard from him was just like, ‘We did everything that we could,’ and then, ‘I’m sorry,’” Erika said.
The family said Jennifer was transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital. By the time they arrived in Miami, they say she had died.
“A doctor told us to sit down,” Jennifer’s father said. “And said that she was still alive when she got there to the hospital, but that unfortunately, they couldn’t save her.”
“I couldn’t believe it. That’s my sister. That’s my best friend,” Erika added.
According to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office, Jennifer died from bilateral pulmonary fat emboli, or fat embolisms in both lungs, resulting from her surgeries. Her death was classified as an accident.
Her mother said one of their final conversations now weighs heavily on her.
“I told her, ‘Do whatever you want, but don’t come crying to me afterward if something happens to you.’ But I never thought she would come back like this,” Monica said.
SIX PATIENTS’ DEATHS
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NBC6 Investigates reviewed civil lawsuits, state and county records and found Jennifer Arias is at least the sixth patient to die following surgery at New Life Plastic Surgery since 2018.
Some of those deaths occurred only months apart.
In court filings related to two previous patient deaths, New Life has denied responsibility, arguing in part that the physicians involved were independent contractors rather than employees of the clinic.
In 2022, our sister station, Telemundo 51, spoke with the family of Naimy Sucetz, a 41-year-old woman who died after undergoing liposuction and a tummy tuck at New Life Plastic Surgery.
According to the medical examiner, Sucetz died from a blood clot in her lungs. Her surgeon was also Julio Clavijo-Alvarez.
At the time, Alvarez told NBC6 that Sucetz never complained of pain that would have indicated a blood clot.
NBC6 tried to reach Alvarez through his attorney and email. By the time of publication, we have not received a response.
SHERIFF’S OFFICE CONFIRMS INVESTIGATION
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Jennifer Arias pictured with her daughter Jenella.
“We still don’t understand what happened,” Wilson Arias said.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed its Homicide Bureau has an open investigation into Jennifer’s death.
Erika said the family’s focus remains on Jennifer’s legacy as a mother.
“She was a great mother. She definitely loved her child so much, so deeply,” Erika said. “And it’s just heartbreaking to see that I won’t see that anymore.”
The family says they want answers and support for whatever changes may be necessary to help protect future patients and prevent other children from losing their mothers.
“No one will ever be able to give her a mother’s love,” Monica said. “My granddaughter has been left without that.”
The family is also concerned about providing for seven-year-old Jenella’s future and say they created a fundraiser to help with her needs.
NBC6 Investigates spoke with an attorney for New Life and sent questions via email. As of publication, neither the clinic nor its attorneys have responded to our questions.