Trans teen dies after receiving silicone injections from fake plastic surgeon
A transgender teen died after receiving silicone injections from an unlicensed plastic surgeon.
Symone Marie Jones, 19, died after receiving the injections from Kavonceya Iman Cornelius, 42.
Cornelius, who is also trans, now faces second-degree murder charges.
Jones died a few days after receiving the ‘off market’ implants at the Salisbury, North Carolina home of Cornelius, on 12 January.
Cornelius used non-medical grade silicone and did not hold a licence to perform the surgery.
According to the family of the deceased teen, Jones had believed that Cornelius was operating with a ‘concierge service’ for a legitimate plastic surgery clinic in Charlotte.
The silicone “cut her lungs”, causing internal bleeding, reads a GoFundMe page set up by the family of Jones to cover memorial costs.
An anonymous person has been operating Jones’ Facebook page since her death, warning of “off market” silicone injections.
Jones began her transition last year and had received breast implants from a licensed plastic surgeon in Miami.
Her mother Sandra says she knew from the age of two that she was transgender.
She says she had pleaded with Jones not to undertake the injections because it could be dangerous.
Another victim, also transgender, tipped off police in February after receiving bum injections from Cornelius.
Kaniya Eboni Bernard, 29, was hospitalised after receiving the injections from Cornelius, after the silicone travelled from the site of the injection, though a vein and into her lung.
Cornelius surrendered to police and is being held without bond at the Rowan County Detention Centre.
