A British mother of two has tragically passed away following cosmetic surgery in Turkey, which she believed would be life-changing. Kaydell Brown, a 38-year-old hairdresser from Sheffield, spent £5,400 on a Brazilian butt lift, tummy tuck, and breast enhancement.
Her sister Leanne, aged 40, who was set to undergo the same procedures, has fiercely criticised the Istanbul clinic, branding it a “pop-up butcher shop that needs shutting down”. The Foreign Office has reported that since 2019, 28 Britons have lost their lives after undergoing cosmetic operations in Turkey.
In a heart-wrenching account, the bereaved sister of the deceased mother revealed her anguish and disbelief. Kaydell Brown had recently celebrated her 38th birthday when she travelled to Istanbul for what has been described as a “mummy MOT”.
In a poignant interview with ITV News, Leanne, who accompanied her sister to the clinic, recounted how she was abruptly given an envelope containing cash as a refund and hastily booked on the next flight home shortly after being informed of her sister’s death. She expressed her shock: “It’s like, ‘Sorry she’s dead, here’s your plane ticket’,” reports the Mirror.
Kaydell Brown was rebuilding her life and hoped cosmetic surgery would help (Image: Daily Mirror )
Determined to raise awareness about the risks involved, Leanne has called for the closure of the clinic. She explained that Kaydell had hoped the surgeries would help her regain control of her life after gaining significant weight due to an ankle injury. The sisters had both worked diligently to save up the £5,400 needed for the surgeries, travel, and accommodation.
The surgery abroad seemed a bargain compared to the £15,000 price tag at home as the two sisters landed in Turkey with optimism. Leanne recounted their arrival: “She was really happy. She was excited. We were smiling, having a laugh and she just wanted to get there and get it done.”
However, the joy turned to tragedy at ClinicExpert when Kaydell’s five-hour expected surgery stretched to 10 hours, culminating not in triumph but in loss at 7.20pm. The devastating outcome was relayed to Leanne, who was next in line for surgery by the same doctor, that her sister had passed away post-operation. According to medical staff, attempts to rouse Kaydell were futile; they suspected fat embolism in her lungs as the cause.
A shattered Leanne, one of Kaydells two sisters, later told ITV the harrowing tale: “She went in for surgery about 9.30am and that was the last time I saw her.
Leanne said she was refused permission to see her sister’s body (Image: Daily Mirror )
“They told me that evening that she didn’t make it. I couldn’t believe it. I was still in a room waiting for her to come back. I had asked a few times how long she was going to be, and they kept saying, ‘She’s coming’. And then I got a knock on the door and three people walked in and said, ‘Can you come with us please?”
When Leanne questioned if her sister had died she was told ‘I’m sorry but yes’. Leanne said: “They passed me an envelope and said, ‘This is your money back and this is your sister’s money back and this is your flight’.”
Leanne said she was refused permission to see her sister’s body. The next day, Leanne was back at the airport dazed, alone and fighting back tears as she headed home. Kaydell’s body was returned to Britain three days later, with parts of her heart missing. A pathologist in the UK has examined some of her body tissue, and an inquest into the death was opened in Sheffield on Friday.
Leanne and Kaydell Kaydell Brown (Image: Daily Mirror )
Coroner Marilyn Whittle said: “We are still making inquiries into the death. We need more information.”
The inquest was postponed until February 28 for a case management review, but the family was assured by Ms Whittle that she hopes it can be heard before that date. She added: “I hope we can get the answers we need for you.”
Following the hearing, Leanne revealed: “Things can’t be hidden any more and they know what happened now, it’s just gathering that evidence.” It is believed that Kaydell’s death on March 26 was caused by fat in her bloodstream reaching her lungs.
Her two sons, aged 12 and 16, are now residing with their father. Leanne described Sheffield-based Kaydell as “loving and caring”.
Kaydell before her surgery (Image: Daily Mirror )
She said the cosmetic surgery “meant a lot” to Kaydell who “didn’t feel herself” after gaining weight. Leanne explained: “She broke her ankle, it really got her down, she had to have it fused. So she put on weight and was in pain.
“So she thought the ‘mummy MOT’ would give her a confidence boost and get her back on track. She didn’t feel attractive and this was going to sort her out… get her life back. She wanted to get her old self back. She was more than excited.”
Leanne said the family have been left with many questions, adding: “When they returned her body, they kept pieces of her heart and her intestines.”
When questioned by the Mirror and ITV about Kaydell’s death, clinic bosses stated the “cause can only be identified by the coroner’s office” but their “deduction” pointed to a “fat emboli blocking a lung blood vessel”.
The inquest was postponed until February 28 for a case management review (Image: Daily Mirror )
The company stated that this is a globally recognised complication in liposuction surgery. They further explained: “Complications are [the] undesirable and unexpected result of an operation… They are not malpractices. We are very sad for Kaydell’s loss, but we also have nothing we need to hide.”
When questioned about the missing organ parts, they claimed the body was handed over “untouched”, adding: “A government doctor examined the body at our operation theatre and identified no missing organs.”
They suggested it is “highly possible” the government coroner’s office removed the organ parts “in the process of determining the cause of death”. The firm added: “ClinicExpert has been performing aesthetic surgeries for Turkish and international patients [for] 13 years. It performed slightly over 23,000 aesthetic surgeries.
Kaydell Brown on the flight with sister Leanne to Turkey (Image: Daily Mirror )
“Unfortunately, we lost two aesthetic surgery patients in 13 years. Two is a very big number for us, and for the loved ones of patients. But two over 23,000 is 0.000087 mortality rate. This rate is far below the international averages in most developed countries and most advanced hospitals.
“Our medical director and medical board reviewed the case. We didn’t conclude any malpractice in Kaydell’s loss.”
They said the surgeon who did the operation is now working elsewhere. The British government said: “Our sympathies are with the family of Kaydell Brown. “The UK government has been actively engaging with the Turkish government on how to support the safety of patients who… travel to Turkey for medical treatment. We urge anyone considering a cosmetic procedure abroad to research the treatment, the qualifications of their clinician and the regulations in the country they are travelling to.” Leanne said of her sister: “I miss talking to her. She was the funny one. She was talented and a good mum.”
The report is due to air at 6.30pm on Monday as part of the ITV News bulletins and will be available on ITVX.