Two months after Jennifer Arias’ death, the 29-year-old mother’s apartment in New York is filled with memories and the belongings of her 7-year-old daughter, Jenella. But it’s a space her family says now feels empty.

“Now that she’s gone, everything feels empty. We’re missing a big chunk of basically our home, our heart,” said her sister, Erika Arias.

For Jennifer’s mother, Monica Arias, the loss extends beyond the death of her daughter. She says it also includes the future Jennifer never got the chance to experience.

“All her dreams are gone. Everything is over. She was a good daughter,” Monica said, while fighting back tears.

THE DAY OF THE SURGERY

According to her family, Jennifer traveled to Miami and underwent liposuction and a Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL, at New Life Plastic Surgery on August 13.

Erika said Jennifer sent her a text message at 4:18 a.m. that day letting her know she was heading into surgery. Hours later, she received an alarming call.

“I was basically told that she isn’t doing well… she’s having trouble breathing,” Erika said.

Jennifer was transported to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where she died.

The family says they immediately flew to Miami, where they received the devastating news at the hospital.

“We felt awful. Sometimes it’s like it was a dream, but it was real what was happening,” Jennifer’s father, Wilson Arias said.

NBC6 Investigates found Jennifer Arias is at least the sixth patient known to have died following procedures at New Life Plastic Surgery since 2018.

‘MY DAUGHTER ISN’T COMING BACK’

According to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office, Jennifer Arias died from bilateral pulmonary fat emboli, or fat embolisms in both lungs, due to liposuction and fat transfer surgery to the buttocks. Her death was classified as an accident.

“My daughter isn’t coming back. She is not coming back,” Monica said, while sobbing.

Jennifer Arias’ case is not the only patient death connected to the Miami clinic.

SIX PATIENTS’ DEATHS LINKED TO CLINIC

NBC6 Investigates reviewed lawsuits, county records and state records and found Arias is at least the sixth patient to die following surgery at New Life Plastic Surgery since 2018.

Among those cases is Naimy Sucetz, a 41-year-old woman who died in 2022 after undergoing liposuction and a tummy tuck at the clinic. The surgeon in that case was Julio Clavijo-Alvarez, the same doctor Jennifer’s family says operated on her. 

Alvarez, a Miami plastic surgeon who promotes his work on YouTube and is listed on New Life’s website, has also been named in multiple lawsuits in recent years.

NBC6 Investigates ran a search on the Miami-Dade Clerk of Courts’ website for civil cases since 2020 and found at least four lawsuits alleging improper care caused patient injuries and complications. Court records show Alvarez denied those allegations. Two of the cases were settled, while two remain pending.

NBC6 contacted the doctor and his attorney about our findings. So far, we have not received a response.

Erika says learning about the surgeon’s background has been difficult.

“I feel a little bit guilty for not doing my research as well,” she said. “I just feel like she chose him ultimately because he was affordable.”

“How is this doctor still doing this type of surgeries?” Monica added.

DOCTOR HAS BEEN DISCIPLINED BY STATE REGULATORS

NBC6 Investigates also found the Florida Board of Medicine reprimanded Alvarez in 2024 and imposed $15,000 in fines to resolve three administrative complaints.

Those complaints involved allegations of improper prescribing practices, safety violations at an outpatient surgery center and complications related to the placement of a surgical drain.

As part of the settlement, Alvarez neither admitted nor denied the allegations.

HISTORY OF MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS

Miami-Dade court records reviewed by NBC6 Investigates show New Life Plastic Surgery has also been named as a defendant in more than a dozen malpractice lawsuits during the past six years. Some cases were dismissed or settled, while others remain pending.

NBC6 Investigates spoke with an attorney for New Life Plastic Surgery and sent him questions about Jennifer’s case and others. By the time of publication, neither the clinic nor its attorneys have responded.

But in court filings, New Life has denied liability in the malpractice cases and has argued, in part, that it is not responsible for physicians who perform procedures there because those doctors work as independent contractors.

SHERIFF’S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING

“We still don’t understand what happened,” Wilson said.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed its homicide bureau has an open investigation into Jennifer Arias’ death.

Her father said he hopes investigators can provide answers.

“I want police to help us understand what happened and give us an explanation,” Wilson said.

The family says they would also like to see stronger safeguards for cosmetic surgery patients.

“It’s not the only clinic. There are several clinics. I don’t want another mother, another family, another daughter crying over the loss,” Monica said. “My baby is left without her mother, without her hugs and a mother’s love.”

NBC6 also contacted the Florida Department of Health and didn’t receive a response.