US police investigate death of 20-year-old woman who had a silicone injection to enlarge her buttocks

This article is more than 9 years old

This article is more than 9 years old

US police are investigating the death of a woman, believed to be British, who had a silicone injection in her buttocks at a hotel in Philadelphia.

Detectives said the woman and three companions travelled from London and were staying at the Hampton Inn near Philadelphia airport.

Detective Joseph Murray said a 20-year-old woman who had received a buttocks injection later complained of chest pains and difficulty breathing. Paramedics were called, and she was taken to Mercy Fitzgerald hospital where she died.

Two of her group had previously travelled to Philadelphia in November to have their buttocks enlarged the report said, and on Monday, one received another buttocks injection; the other had a hip augmentation costing $1,800.

Police are seeking two people involved in the cosmetic procedures, which they believe were arranged over the internet.

"We're not quite sure right now if the person performing that procedure is licensed," Lieutenant John Walker said. "We're still working on that information." He said detectives were awaiting test results to determine the substance used in the procedure.

• This article was amended on 9 March 2011. The original wrongly identified the young woman who died. The Guardian's own later version of the story correctly named her as Claudia Aderotimi.