Woman’s Death After Wellness Spa Injection Is Ruled a Homicide, tell me about this news in (https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/21/nyregion/bronx-wellness-center-injection-homicide.html)
21-09-2026
The news reported by The New York Times details the ruling of 27-year-old Elizabeth Baron’s death as a homicide by the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner following a fatal procedure at an unlicensed wellness clinic in the Bronx.
Key Details of the CaseThe Incident: In mid-July 2026, Elizabeth Baron visited the Bereshit Lifestyle Center, a wellness clinic located on Riverdale Avenue in the Kingsbridge/Riverdale section of the Bronx. She received an intravenous injection/infusion of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), a popular substance frequently marketed by alternative clinics as an anti-aging and energy-boosting treatment.
Fatal Complications: Shortly after receiving the infusion, Baron experienced severe medical distress, suffered cardiac arrest, and lost consciousness. She was transported to New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, where she was pronounced dead approximately an hour later.
The Practitioner: The facility was run by 55-year-old Luis Rojas Cabrera. Following the incident, Rojas Cabrera admitted to investigators that he did not hold a license to practice medicine in New York or the United States, having only held medical credentials in the Dominican Republic. He was initially arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and the unauthorized practice of a profession.
The Homicide Ruling: Following an autopsy and toxicology analysis, the city medical examiner officially classified Baron’s death as a homicidemeaning her death directly resulted from the actions of another individual.
The homicide determination allows prosecutors to consider upgraded criminal charges against Rojas Cabrera (such as manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide). It also intensifies state and citywide crackdowns on illicit “med spas” and holistic clinics that administer prescription-grade drugs, IV infusions, or cosmetic procedures without proper medical licensing, sterile protocols, or physician oversight.