A California woman, who gained notoriety as the “butt lady,” has been convicted of second-degree murder and practicing medicine without certification by a Los Angeles jury. This unfortunate incident unfolded following the tragic death of actress Cindyana Santangelo, who passed away at her Malibu home on March 24. Reports indicate that Santangelo, known for her roles on “Married with Children” and “ER,” died from silicone injections administered by Libby Adame, aged 55, from Riverside County.
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Santangelo suffered a fatal embolism after receiving the injection, leading to Adame’s conviction. Notably, this is not the first time Adame has faced legal repercussions for her actions. In a similar case in 2024, Adame and her daughter, Alicia Galaz, were convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Karissa Rajpaul, aged 26. This previous case involved an unauthorized butt-implant procedure that led to Rajpaul’s tragic demise.
Rajpaul’s cause of death was linked to acute cardiopulmonary dysfunction and dangerous silicone injections. Investigations revealed that Adame and Galaz, posing as specialists, combined substances used by certified cosmetic physicians with hazardous chemicals during the procedure. Both Adame and Galaz were sentenced to prison initially but were later released due to time served and electronic monitoring while awaiting trial.
During Adame’s recent trial, the prosecution highlighted that she had been forewarned during her 2024 trial that she could face murder charges if another client died under her care. The defence countered these allegations, with Adame denying responsibility for Santangelo’s fate. Adame claimed she was on probation at the time and was not authorised to conduct such procedures in California. She asserted that someone else had previously treated Santangelo, leading to the tragic outcome.
Following Santangelo’s death, her husband, Frank Santangelo, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Adame, alleging that she unlawfully injected his wife with unsafe substances while falsely presenting herself as qualified to perform cosmetic procedures. Frank testified during the trial, recounting how his wife appeared to be in distress after her meeting with Adame and subsequently passed away following the injection. Adame’s sentencing is scheduled for November 5, with second-degree murder carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in California.
Moreover, Adame faces the possibility of additional years in prison due to a special allegation of causing great bodily harm. The case underscores the dangers associated with unlicensed and uncertified individuals performing medical procedures. It also sheds light on the importance of stringent regulations to safeguard individuals seeking cosmetic enhancements. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved when individuals operate outside the bounds of legal and ethical medical practices.