Thursday, 4:30 PM
Investigators searching Brazilian community for more victims of unlicensed surgery
By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff, and Andrew Ryan, Globe Correspondent
Authorities this afternoon implored members of Boston’s Brazilian community to seek medical attention if they were treated by a couple charged with running an unlicensed cosmetic surgery clinic out of their Framingham basement after a 24-year-old woman died Sunday following liposuction.
Middlesex County District Attorney Martha Coakley urged Brazilians and others who may have been treated by Luiz Carlos Ribeiro to see a licensed doctor and call police, saying that patients who come forward would not be charged with a crime. Investigators have already identified two other victims who had procedures at the clinic, Coakley said, and fear that the total number of customers is “likely to be large.”
Luiz Carlos Ribeiro, 49, and his wife, Ana Maria Miranda Ribeiro, 49, pleaded not guilty today in Framingham District Court to licensing and drug charges. Investigators anticipate more allegations pending the outcome of an autopsy, Coakley said, which could include murder or manslaughter charges.
Assistant District Attorney Lee Hettinger said in court earlier today that Brazilian Luiz Carlos Ribeiro was in the United States for 30 days on a work visa and had been performing unlicensed surgeries in his basement with his wife acting as an attending nurse.
“There was a tremendous amount of blood protein on the floor in the basement,” said Hettinger, adding that investigators found a set of surgical tools used in liposuction procedures in a dumpster.
Prosecutors declined to identify the victim on Monday. Neighbors at the Bishop Gardens condominium complex where investigators say the Ribeiros ran their clinic identified the woman as Fabiola de Paula.
The victim arrived unconscious at Metro West Medical Center Sunday at 4:55 p.m. and died a short time later, Hettinger said. One of the two other victims who had procedures at the clinic that have been identified by investigators has been hospitalized for a severe infection after she too received liposuction. She paid $3,000 for the procedure, Hettinger said. Neither of the Ribeiros are licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts.
The couple appeared with court appointed lawyers and spoke in Portuguese, communicating with the judge through a translator.
Luiz Carlos Ribeiro was charged with unauthorized practice of medicine, distribution of class A and class C substances, possession of a class C substance, and illegal possession of a hypodermic needle. Prosecutors charged Ana Maria Miranda Ribeiro with unauthorized practice of medicine and distribution of a class A and a class C substance.
When investigators arrived at Ribeiros’ apartment, it appeared to have been wiped clean, Hettinger said. However, investigators were able to use tools to find extensive residue from blood on the floor, Hettinger said.
Judge Robert Greco ordered that Luiz Carlos Ribeiro be held on 250,000 cash bond. His wife is being held on a 50,000 cash bond.
