Arrest Made In Silicone Injection Death Of Transgender Woman
SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say they have arrested a man in the silicone injection death of a 40-year-old transgender woman.
On Thursday, Santa Ana Police Department homicide detectives arrested Liborio de la Luiz Ramos, 44, in connection with the death of Katya de la Riva on Jan. 21.
Ramos was charged with involuntary manslaughter and is being held on $500,000 bail.
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Authorities said de la Riva went to an underground injection party in Orange sometime in December and had silicone injected into her buttocks for cosmetic reasons.
"This was apparently Ramos' business," Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said.
On Jan. 1, de la Riva admitted herself into Kaiser Hospital in Irvine because of a respiratory problem. She died Jan. 21 of an embolism related to the silicone injection.
The investigation is continuing into the legality of the administered silicone. The O.C. District Attorney's Office's homicide unit is researching what criminal statutes are applicable.
CBS2's Michele Gile reported that de la Riva paid Ramos $400-$1000 for the injections.
Ramos allegedly used a cattle syringe to administer the silicone.
Detectives believe that there may be additional victims who received injections from the woman suspected in de la Riva's death. Detectives would like any additional victims to contact them at (714) 245-8390.
