Florida Cosmetologist Guilty in Burlingame Model's Fatal Injection

A jury in Redwood City found Vivian Alexandra Gomez, 53, guilty Monday of felony involuntary manslaughter and practicing medicine without a license in connection with the death of 34-year-old Christina Ashten Gourkani. Following a 15-day trial and three hours of deliberation, jurors determined that Gomez's unlicensed cosmetic procedure directly caused the fatal outcome.

On April 19, 2023, Gomez flew from Royal Palm Beach, Florida, to San Francisco International Airport and traveled to the Burlingame Marriott hotel near the airport, where she performed an illegal gluteal silicon injection on Gourkani, a model and OnlyFans creator with hundreds of thousands of social media followers. Prosecutors said Gourkani became immediately ill following the procedure, prompting her fiancée to call 911. She was transported to Mills Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame, where she died of respiratory failure and a pulmonary embolism the following day.

The Food and Drug Administration has not approved injectable silicon for body contouring, citing serious risks including disfigurement and death. Gomez returned to Florida after the procedure and was later arrested. She waived extradition and was brought back to San Mateo County to face charges, where she had been released on a $200,000 bond pending trial.

Following Monday's conviction, Gomez was remanded into custody without bail. She faces up to seven years in state prison, with sentencing scheduled for May 5.