Doctor who let unlicensed wife take part in cosmetic procedures accused of killing her in botched procedure at “poorly maintained” facility

Jacksonville, Florida – A plastic surgeon in Florida is being charged with second-degree felony homicide and manslaughter by culpable carelessness after his wife died during a series of cosmetic procedures that went wrong.

The surgeon’s wife, 33-year-old H. E. Brown, was scheduled for multiple cosmetic procedures on November 21, 2023. Before the operation, she reportedly prepared her own anesthesia and ingested a handful of multicolored pills but failed to document what she took. Shortly after, she began showing symptoms of heavy sedation. According to reports, Dr. Brown also administered additional anesthesia without being able to verify what his wife had taken previously.

During the operation, complications escalated quickly. Mrs. Brown told her husband she was experiencing blurry vision and seeing “orange,” signs of potential toxicity. Despite these warnings, Dr. B. Brown proceeded with the procedures and continued injecting drugs into her face. When Mrs. Brown became unresponsive and started to seize, a medical assistant suggested calling 911, but Dr. Brown initially refused, asking twice before relenting as his wife’s condition worsened.

In the crucial moments that followed, the clinic staff struggled to find necessary emergency supplies like an oxygen tank and stethoscope, as Dr. Brown frantically tried to ascertain what medications his wife had taken. It took between 10 to 20 minutes before he instructed his team to call emergency services. By the time help arrived and Mrs. Brown was transported to the hospital, she was put on life support and never regained consciousness, passing away seven days later. The autopsy results are still pending.

The couple, parents to three children, are now at the center of a tragic story that has rocked their community. M. Ellington, Mrs. Brown’s father, said, “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. Brown took the mother from my grandchildren, my only daughter and our brightest star. Hillary gave the ultimate sacrifice so Brown cannot hurt anyone else. Maybe in prison, he will get the attention he deserves.”

Following the incident, the Florida Department of Health issued an emergency order on May 2, restricting Dr. Brown’s medical license. He is now only allowed to perform procedures in a licensed hospital under the supervision of another licensed physician. Moreover, the Department is pursuing disciplinary action, with the case set to be heard by the Division for Administrative Hearings.

The investigation also uncovered troubling aspects of Dr. Brown’s practice, which had been in decline since 2021. A medical assistant described the facility as “dirty” and “poorly maintained,” with unlocked cabinets storing sedatives that staff reportedly used. The practice was characterized as tumultuous, and Dr. Brown was accused of delegating important medical responsibilities to unqualified personnel, including his unlicensed wife.

Additionally, patients have reported suffering from disfigurement and chronic pain due to procedures performed at the clinic, raising serious concerns about the standards of care and oversight at Dr. Brown’s facility.