On June 17, 2024, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement:
Death Investigation
Update to Hillary Brown Death Investigation
On 11/21/2023 Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Restore Plastic Surgery for a medical emergency. The female victim, later identified as Hillary Ellington Brown, suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken to a local hospital to receive medical care, where she was later put on life support. On 11/28/23 Mrs. Brown passed. After an extensive investigation in conjunction with the District One Medical Examiner’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office, our detectives requested a warrant for the arrest of Dr. Benjamin Brown. Today, 6/17/2024, Benjamin Jacob Brown, 41 years of age has been arrested for Second Degree Felony Homicide: manslaughter by Culpable Negligence. He is currently being held in the SRSO Jail pending first appearance where a bond will be determined by a judge and State Attorney’s Office.
(Statement released on 12/6/23)
“The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the District One Medical Examiner’s office is conducting a Death investigation regarding the Death of Hillary Brown. In accordance with our policies and procedures, SRSO investigators frequently conduct death investigations when the death was unexpected or the death occurs under unusual circumstances. The cause and manner of death is pending the receipt of the autopsy protocol from the District One medical examiners office. The autopsy protocol typically takes several months as it usually is dependent on extensive laboratory and toxicology tests as well as the information gathered by our Major Crimes detectives concerning the circumstances of the death.”
An investigation into the death allegedly found that the plastic surgeon’s wife, who was not a licensed medical professional, was allowed to prepare and take her own anesthesia solution prior to the procedures, and that she showed signs of lidocaine toxicity while she was undergoing a miniature muscle plication/abdominal scar revision, bilateral arm liposuction, lip injection, and ear adjustment procedures.
The plastic surgeon wrote in a social media post on November 24, 2023: “We need prayers for a miracle. Hillary had a cardiac arrest on Tuesday afternoon. We called 911 and started CPR. Her heart came back but her brain is not doing well. She has been in a coma since she went unconscious on Tuesday. Hillary Ellington Brown you are my soulmate, my world, my everything. Please come back. Please!”
The victim’s father stated, “”My family lives in a sea of tears for eternity due to the actions of one careless individual. His ego and arrogance overshadowed the need for help, prolonging oxygen deprivation to her brain and ultimately causing her death. Ben Brown took the mother from my grandchildren, my only daughter and our brightest star. Hillary gave the ultimate sacrifice so Ben Brown cannot hurt anyone else. Maybe in prison, he will get the attention he deserves.”
If you or a loved one suffered unexpected injury or death as a result of cosmetic surgery in Florida or in another U.S. state, you should promptly find a Florida medical malpractice lawyer, or a medical malpractice lawyer in your state, who may investigate your medical malpractice claim for you and represent you or your loved one in a medical malpractice case, if appropriate.
Visit our website or call us toll-free in the United States at 800-295-3959 to find medical malpractice attorneys in your state who may assist you.
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