A tragic death has rocked the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the family of Detective Alicia Stone.
Stone, a loving mother of three, passed away just a week after undergoing cosmetic surgery in Colombia, per the New York Post.
The 40-year-old NYPD veteran, who had served for 13 years in the department's Internal Affairs Bureau, was found unresponsive in her hotel room in Cali, Colombia, early on the morning of Thursday, October 23.
The Mysterious Circumstances Surrounding Her Death
Stone had traveled to Colombia to undergo a liposuction and gluteal fat transfer procedure — commonly known as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) — on October 16.
This procedure, which involves transferring fat from one part of the body to the buttocks, has become popular in recent years but carries significant risks.
Stone died following a BBL. Credit: Fund the First
Reports indicate that Stone was recovering in a hotel after her surgery and was on anticoagulants and pain medication as part of her post-operative care.
However, just days after the procedure, Stone was found unresponsive in her hotel room.
She was rushed to Fundación Valle del Lili Hospital in Cali but was pronounced dead an hour later.
Her cause of death was listed as "unspecified cardiac arrest," but the circumstances surrounding her sudden passing remain unclear.
Her grieving husband, Michael Stone, has publicly expressed his desire for a full investigation into the events leading up to her death, saying that something “doesn’t add up.”
Husband’s Heartbreaking Discovery
Michael Stone was devastated when he received the shocking news from a doctor in Colombia.
“The doctor who called me from Colombia just called me and told me my wife had just passed away,” Michael shared in an emotional statement, per the Daily News.
He described the conversation as unsettling, with the doctor unable to provide any clear information when he asked for details.
"She didn’t have any information to tell me when I was asking her... Something just doesn’t add up. To be called [on] Thursday and told that she passed away, that is just shocking and hurtful," he said.
Michael also recalled that his wife had been "perfectly fine" prior to the surgery.
The day before her passing, she reportedly told family members that she was feeling well and recovering as expected. “I don’t have the facts, and that’s what I need, the facts of what happened,” he emphasized.
Stone’s unexpected death has left a profound void in her family and the NYPD community.
A fundraising page set up to support her family described her as a “loving mother of three” and a “dedicated public servant who spent her career protecting and serving others.”
Stone worked for the NYPD. Credit: NYPD
The page highlighted her kindness, courage, and compassion, which touched everyone she met, both in and out of uniform.
“Her unexpected passing has left a tremendous void in the lives of her family, friends, and fellow officers,” the fundraiser stated.
Stone's sudden and untimely death has prompted her husband to seek justice and answers. “I need to know what happened,” he said.
The Dangers of Cosmetic Surgery: A Closer Look at the Risks
The procedure Stone underwent is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, but experts warn that it carries significant risks.
A gluteal fat transfer or Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) is a cosmetic surgery where fat is removed from one part of the body and injected into the buttocks.
While many patients undergo this procedure without incident, it has gained notoriety due to its potential complications.
In fact, research has shown that BBL surgeries can be as much as 10 to 20 times more dangerous than other cosmetic procedures.
Studies, including one published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal in 2017, reveal that the risks associated with this surgery are higher than those for other types of cosmetic surgeries performed in the U.S.
Worldwide, it is estimated that one in 3,448 patients undergoing BBL procedures dies, a significantly higher mortality rate compared to the general death rate for cosmetic surgery in the U.S., which is approximately one in 55,000.
Despite the risks, the allure of a curvier body shape continues to drive many people, including celebrities, to seek out BBL procedures.
However, the high complication rate and sometimes fatal outcomes highlight the need for increased awareness and caution when considering such surgeries.
In the wake of Alicia Stone’s tragic death, the authorities in Colombia have been contacted, and U.S. officials have also been involved.
The Colombian National Police, the U.S. State Department, and consular services have been notified, as Michael Stone seeks answers. Additionally, an NYPD detective was reportedly sent to Colombia to investigate further into the circumstances of her death.