A 38-year-old British mother from Sheffield, Kaydell Brown, has tragically died during a cosmetic procedure in Istanbul, leaving her family heartbroken and searching for answers. The mother of two had recently celebrated her birthday and, after enduring a tough few years, decided to undergo cosmetic surgery to rebuild her confidence and improve her life. Unfortunately, this decision led to her untimely death.

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Kaydell initially made enquiries with Clinic Expert, a well-known cosmetic surgery provider in Istanbul, which quickly suggested a comprehensive package known as the “Mummy MOT.” This package included multiple procedures such as a tummy tuck, liposuction, and the increasingly popular Brazilian butt lift (BBL). Over several weeks, Kaydell was bombarded with relentless marketing from the clinic, including emails, phone calls, and WhatsApp messages. These communications showcased tempting before-and-after images and offered cut-price surgery, along with flights and accommodation, further sweetened by additional discounts if she signed up for multiple procedures.

Determined to transform her life, Kaydell managed to secure the £5,400 needed for the surgery and travelled to Istanbul with her sister, Leanne. On the morning of March 26, 2024, Kaydell was taken into surgery. Sadly, she never came out.

In an exclusive interview with ITV News, Leanne recounted the horrifying experience. "She went in for surgery at about 9:30 am, and that was the last time I saw her," Leanne said. She explained how she anxiously waited for hours, repeatedly asking the clinic staff about her sister’s condition, only to receive vague reassurances. Eventually, three staff members approached her with devastating news. "They just started trying to say, you know, there are complications with surgery, you know things can happen. And I said, 'has my sister died?' And he just said, 'I'm sorry, but yeah,'" Leanne recalled.

The clinic's response was shockingly cold. Leanne was immediately handed an envelope containing a refund for the surgery and a return flight ticket to the UK. "It’s like, sorry she’s dead, here’s your plane ticket," she said, expressing her disbelief at how quickly the clinic wanted to distance themselves from the tragedy.

The heartbreak deepened when Kaydell's body was returned to the UK for examination. A post-mortem revealed that large parts of her brain, lungs, and heart were missing. Leanne was devastated. "When they returned her body, they kept pieces of her heart and her intestines, and that could show the cause of death, but we might not know because they’re not very cooperative," she explained. The death certificate issued by the Turkish authorities listed "no cause of death," leaving the family with more questions than answers.

ITV News attempted to investigate further by contacting Clinic Expert, but Turkish authorities rejected visa applications, hindering in-person inquiries. The clinic issued a written statement, denying any wrongdoing and claiming that no evidence of organ trauma was found. They asserted that Kaydell’s body was handed over untouched to the Coroner’s Office in Turkey.

As Kaydell’s family grieves their loss, her story serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with medical tourism, particularly in countries where regulations may not be as stringent as in the UK. Kaydell’s tragic death highlights the need for thorough research and caution when considering overseas cosmetic procedures.

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