Arrest made in death of transgender woman after O.C. silicone party

Prosecutors have filed charges against a Santa Ana resident accused of performing illegal cosmetic surgeries that resulted in the death of a transgender woman.

Liborio De La Luz Ramos, 44, faces one felony count of involuntary manslaughter by an unlawful act and two felony counts of unauthorized practice of medicine.

Prosecutors said Ramos did not have a license to practice medicine and was not allowed to perform surgical procedures.

According to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Ramos’ actions resulted in the death of 40-year-old Felipe De La Riva, who also went by the name Katya.

Ramos was arrested Thursday by the Santa Ana Police Department.

Ramos is accused of illegally administering a silicone injection into De La Riva’s buttocks sometime between Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 at a silicone party at a hotel in Santa Ana, police said.

De La Riva admitted herself to a hospital in Garden Grove on New Year’s Day and was transferred to another hospital in Anaheim to receive treatment for respiratory problems.

Prosecutors said De La Riva suffered silicone embolism syndrome, with symptoms including coughing up blood, fever, chest pain and altered consciousness.

She died on Jan. 21 as a result of the silicone injection, authorities said.

Ramos is also accused of illegally injecting another victim, 28, with silicone and administering an anesthetic, according to the district attorney’s office. Authorities did not provide a gender identification for Ramos.

Police and prosecutors said they are seeking other potential victims.

Anyone with details is urged to call Santa Ana Police Det. Jim Garcia at (714) 245-8390 or Supervising District Attorney Investigator Anthony Sosnowski at (714) 834-7538.

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