Florida Cosmetologist Guilty in Bay Area Model's Fatal Butt Injection

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Vivian Alexandra Gomez, a 53-year-old unlicensed cosmetologist from Royal Palm Beach, Florida, was convicted Monday of felony involuntary manslaughter and practicing medicine without a license in the death of 34-year-old Christina Ashten Gourkani. The San Mateo County jury reached its verdict after a 15-day trial and three hours of deliberations in Redwood City Superior Court. Gourkani, a Bay Area social media influencer and OnlyFans star with hundreds of thousands of followers known for her resemblance to Kim Kardashian, hired Gomez for illegal gluteal silicone injections on April 19, 2023[1][2][3]. Gomez flew into San Francisco International Airport that day and met Gourkani and her fiancé at the Marriott hotel in Burlingame, where she administered the unapproved injections. Gourkani fell critically ill immediately after the procedure; her fiancé called 911, and she was rushed to Mills Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame. She died the next day, April 20, 2023, from respiratory failure and pulmonary embolism caused by the silicone, which the Food and Drug Administration warns is unapproved for body contouring and can lead to death[1][2][4]. Prosecutors from the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office highlighted Gomez's lack of medical training and the dangers of such black-market procedures. Arrested after returning to Florida, Gomez waived extradition and was held on $200,000 bond until the verdict, when she was remanded into custody without bail. Sentencing is set for May 5, with a possible prison term of up to seven years[2][3]. The case underscores California's crackdown on unlicensed cosmetic injections amid rising demand for body enhancements. Similar incidents, like those involving repeat offender Libby Adame in Los Angeles County, have led to murder convictions and life sentences for fatalities from silicone embolisms[6]. San Mateo authorities aim to deter such practices proliferating in hotel rooms near major airports.