THE death of a 27-year-old woman who collapsed after receiving an intravenous NAD+ infusion at a Bronx wellness centre in July has been ruled a homicide, according to the New York City medical examiner’s office.
Elizabeth Baron, who lived in the Bronx, in New York died from a cardiac air embolism, according to autopsy results. The condition can occur when air enters an intravenous catheter and travels to the heart.
The New York Times reported that the ruling could pave the way for prosecutors to pursue more serious charges against Luis Rojas Cabrera, who administered the infusion at Bereshit Lifestyle Center on July 19.
Baron, who lived less than 3.2km from the wellness centre, became unconscious immediately after Cabrera inserted an intravenous line into her right hand to administer nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+, prosecutors said.
Cabrera later told investigators that Baron had lost consciousness immediately after the infusion and that he had called 911.
Emergency medical workers took Baron to hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 1.09pm, about an hour after receiving the infusion.
Cabrera pleaded not guilty in July to charges of reckless endangerment and unauthorised practice of a profession. It was unclear on Sept 21 whether additional charges had been filed following the medical examiner’s ruling.
Cabrera’s lawyer, Donald Vogelman, said the homicide ruling did not necessarily mean the death was intentional.
“A homicide is not necessarily a murder but may be caused by an accident,” he said.
“In this case, if there was a homicide, it was caused by an accident. I am certain that my client will be fully exonerated in court.”
Cabrera, who told investigators he was a licensed doctor in the Dominican Republic, does not have a licence to practise medicine in the United States, according to the criminal complaint.
In New York, intravenous substances must be administered by a licensed medical practitioner.
According to the complaint, Cabrera told investigators after Baron was taken to hospital: “I made a very big mistake.”
NAD+ is a molecule found in cells that plays a role in energy production and other biological processes. It has become increasingly popular in the longevity and wellness industry, although evidence supporting its benefits in humans remains limited.
The case is expected to go before a grand jury before Cabrera’s next court appearance on Oct 8. – September 22, 2026