CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Citrus Heights Detectives have announced the arrest of 49-year-old Alejandra Aguilera-Ortega for homicide in connection with the fatal non-medical grade silicone injection that led to the death of 22-year-old Diego Lopez in May 2013. 

Detectives conducted an extensive investigation in 2013, collecting multiple items of evidence and interviewing numerous parties. On Aug. 19, Aguilera-Ortega was taken into custody by Citrus Heights Police Detectives following new information that Aguilera-Ortega had returned to Citrus Heights after fleeing to Mexico. Aguilera-Ortega was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on homicide charges. 

On April 30, 2013, Diego Lopez was transported to Mercy San Juan hospital due to difficulty breathing and coughing up blood. The treating physician discovered that Lopez had received non-medical grade silicone injections in the buttocks area, which led to multiple organ failures, cardiac arrest and ultimately death on May 7, 2013. 

During the investigation, detectives learned that Alejandra and Diego were friends. Detectives also discovered evidence suggesting Alejandra provided the silicone and super-glue substance injections to Diego and others for a fee, despite not being licensed as a medical practitioner. 

Detectives secured a homicide arrest warrant for Alejandra, who had already fled to an unknown location in Mexico. Detectives discovered Alejandra had recently returned to Citrus Heights and was subsequently located and apprehended at a local apartment complex.

Anyone with information about this crime or who may have suffered medical complications from a similar procedure by Aguilera-Ortega is encouraged to contact the Citrus Heights Police Department Crime Tip Line at 916-727-5524.

If you would like to remain anonymous, you can contact the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers tip hotline at (916) 443-HELP.