Melissa Kerr: British woman’s death after ‘Brazilian butt lift’ in Turkey prompts coroner’s warning
A coroner is to write to the health secretary over concerns people are unaware of the risks of having cosmetic surgery overseas, after a British woman died following a ‘Brazilian butt lift’ procedure in Turkey.
Melissa Kerr travelled to the private Medicana Kadikoy hospital in Istanbul for the operation, during which fat is harvested from other parts of the body and injected into the buttocks.
The 31-year-old died on the day she had the procedure – 19 November last year.
Ms Kerr, who was “conscious about her appearance”, had breast enlargement surgery a decade earlier without complications.
But she was only given “limited information regarding the risks and mortality rate” associated with the Brazilian butt lift, an inquest heard.
Ms Kerr, from Denton, Norfolk, died after injected fat entered a vein before moving and blocking her pulmonary artery.
Her cause of death has been recorded as a pulmonary thromboembolism, Norfolk’s senior coroner, Jacqueline Lake, said.
Ms Lake now intends to write a report to Health Secretary Steve Barclay to outline concerns after telling the inquest there have been a “high number of patient deaths in similar circumstances”.
‘Future deaths can be prevented by better information’
“I am concerned patients are not being made aware of the risks or the mortality rate associated with such surgery,” she said.
“I do have concerns there will be future deaths and I’m of the view future deaths can be prevented by way of better information.”
Ms Kerr’s death happened four years after mother-of-three Leah Cambridge died due to a fat clot caused by a Brazilian butt lift in Turkey in 2018.
The 29-year-old from Leeds travelled to a private clinic in the coastal city of Izmir for the operation after becoming paranoid about excess stomach weight gain, an inquest heard – despite being told by her partner she did not need surgery.
Leah Cambridge and her partner Scott Franks. Pic: Facebook
Patient underwent ‘limited assessment’ and did not see surgeon in advance
Ms Kerr arranged to pay £3,200 in cash for the procedure in a conversation with a hospital worker via WhatsApp.
She said she was “a bit nervous” before the operation and asked to see photographs of previous patients four times – but there is no evidence she was given them, the inquest heard.
Ms Kerr, a psychological wellbeing practitioner for the charity Mind, did not see a surgeon or clinician in advance and underwent a “limited assessment” prior to the procedure, Ms Lake said.
Consultant plastic surgeon, Simon Withey, who was asked to view evidence in the case and prepare a report as an expert witness during the inquest, said the death rate associated with Brazilian butt lifts is “likely to be in excess of one in 4,000”.
He said it is “quite possible” that, if the risks had been explained “before she was financially committed to proceed, she would not have done”.
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Recording a narrative conclusion, Ms Lake said Ms Kerr died after cosmetic surgery.
“There has been the release of an international alert to surgeons regarding the high mortality rate associated with this procedure,” the coroner added.
“There has also been the introduction of a voluntary moratorium (suspension of activity) on this type of procedure in the UK.
“These are clearly not being followed in Turkey.
“I don’t have any authority over hospitals in Turkey and I also appreciate the UK government has no control (over) what happens in other countries.
“However the danger our citizens will continue to travel abroad for such procedures continues, though citizens are unaware of the risks involved.”
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Ms Lake offered her sympathies to Ms Kerr’s family, who listened to the inquest via videolink.
On a JustGiving fundraising page set up after the tragedy, Ms Kerr was described as a “pure and beautiful soul” who was “passionate about helping others”.
Singer Linda Nolan, who rose to fame alongside her sisters in The Nolans, has died after several years of battling cancer.
The Irish star, 65, and her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, had a run of hits in the late 1970s and ’80s – including the disco classic I’m In The Mood For Dancing.
Paying tribute on The Nolans‘ X account, her sisters described her as “a pop icon and beacon of hope”, who “faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination, inspiring millions”.
Linda died peacefully in hospital this morning, “embraced with love and comfort” with her siblings by her side, her agent Dermot McNamara said in a statement.
“As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide, touring the world and selling over 30 million records,” he said.
“Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.”
As well as her TV and musical career, Linda helped to raise more than £20 million for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society, Samaritans and others.
“Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy,” Mr McNamara said.
Five of the Nolans in 1983 (L-R): Linda, Anne, Bernie, Coleen and Maureen. Pic: PA
Linda’s death came after she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia over the weekend. She began receiving end-of-life care after slipping into a coma on Tuesday.
Details of a celebration of the star’s “remarkable life” will be shared in due course.
Linda was born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan in Dublin on 23 February 1959, the sixth of eight children.
Her parents were both singers and keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe. Linda made her stage debut aged just four.
Those early years put the siblings on track for a career in show business which lasted for decades. As well as I’m In The Mood For Dancing, The Nolans had hits with Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention To Me and Don’t Make Waves, and they also had their own TV specials.
At their height, they toured with Frank Sinatra and were reported to have outsold The Beatles in Japan.
Linda left the group in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances. She also became known for musical theatre, most notably performing the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years from 2000.
L-R: Bernie, Denise, Linda (top), Anne and Maureen Nolan pictured in 1975, before youngest sister Coleen joined the group
Four siblings struck by cancer
Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and underwent a mastectomy two days before her 47th birthday.
After being given the all-clear in 2011, in 2017 she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Three years later, Linda and Anne together revealed they were being treated for cancer once again.
The sisters were diagnosed with different forms of the disease just days apart after they returned home from filming a series of their show, The Nolans Go Cruising. Linda had cancer of the liver, while Anne had breast cancer.
The star, pictured last year, had battled cancer for several years. Pic: Shutterstock
They went on to write Stronger Together, an account of their journey that included frank details of their treatments and the side effects.
But in 2023, Linda revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and she was beginning treatment as part of a new drug trial.
The Nolans lost their second-youngest sister, Bernie, to cancer in 2013, aged 52.
Loose Women star Coleen Nolan also revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and said she was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it.
Linda’s husband of 26 years, Brian Hudson, died in 2007 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.
Anne Nolan is now cancer-free.
Tributes to star ‘who was always a joy’
TV star and singer Cheryl Baker and comedian Tommy Cannon are among those who have paid tribute.
“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Linda Nolan,” Cannon wrote on X. “I had the pleasure of working with her on so many occasions, and she was always a joy – full of warmth and love. My thoughts and love are with the Nolan girls and the whole family.”
“The most incredible voice, the wickedest sense of humour, such a massive talent,” Baker wrote. “You’re with Brian now, Lin.”
Loose Women also sent its love to her family. Linda appeared as a guest panellist on the ITV chat show over the years, alongside her sister Coleen.
The Blackpool Grand Theatre described her as “a true Blackpool icon”.
A 20-year-old trainee gas engineer who won £7.5m says he was back working on blocked drains the day after claiming his cash.
James Clarkson, 20, from Carlisle, Cumbria, found out he’d hit the £7,533,329 National Lottery jackpot on 4 January – but said he has no plans to quit his job.
“I was out in the cold fixing blocked drains the day after I found out I had won,” he said.
“It was a bit grim but that’s reality.
“I’m not going to stop working, I’m too young,” he added, admitting he knew it might sound “mad” to some.
“I want to qualify as a heating engineer and then go from there.
“I need to have a purpose in life, plus dad wouldn’t let me not work anyway. He says there are plenty of millionaires out there that still work and you need a reason to get up each day.”
Mr Clarkson celebrating with his family. Pic: PA
Mr Clarkson added he still planned to have “some nice holidays” in between working, and revealed one of his first purchases was an all-inclusive luxury break to Cape Verde, along with a few designer items including a Gucci bag for his girlfriend and two new jackets for himself.
He said he also planned to splash out on a new car, possibly an Audi – but for now, he’s got his work van.
“If you drive a cold work van all day, going from job to job, you’d understand,” he said.
“The comfort, the steering, the heated seats. I realise how jammy that sounds, not many people my age can afford the car insurance let alone a car like that to drive.”
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As a huge Manchester City fan, he said he was also looking to buy a season ticket at the Etihad Stadium, as well as taking care of his extended family – starting with paying off his parents’ mortgage.
The new multi-millionaire holds up bespoke Manchester City kit celebrating his win. Pic: PA
He said: “I’ve been thinking about it a lot, it’s what I want to do. I told them last night and they seemed really overwhelmed.
“We are close and they have always been there for me. This win isn’t just for me, I want to make sure we all benefit.”
Mr Clarkson played on the National Lottery app, choosing his winning numbers – 16, 19, 22, 24, 27 and 35 – at random.
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