A YOUNG mother of four from Limerick died of a blood clot a week after undergoing liposuction and buttock augmentation in Turkey.
An inquest into the death of Lydia O’Donoghue (née Mulqueen), 38, of Lower Whitethorn Drive, Caherdavin, heard the fatal blood clot was linked to recent surgery, subsequent air travel and drug use.
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An autopsy report showed the level of cocaine in the young woman’s system “was significant.”
On the day of her operation on April 16, Ms O’Donoghue, formerly of Fairview Crescent, Garryowen, had posted a picture of herself on TikTok with the caption: ‘Surgery day new booty pending’.
A butt lift or buttock augmentation – often referred to as a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) when the patient’s own fat is used during the procedure, as opposed to butt implants, where silicone devices are placed in the buttock – is an increasingly popular cosmetic surgery procedure.
Ms O’Donoghue’s mother Caroline told the inquest that doctors in Turkey said she was “fit to fly”.
Ms O’Donoghue underwent surgery in Turkey on April 16 and was pronounced dead exactly one week later at University Hospital Limerick on April 23, 2025.
Limerick Coroner’s Court in Kilmallock heard Ms O’Donoghue’s husband Jonathan said she was unwell, her legs were swollen and she collapsed in the kitchen of their home.
He performed CPR on her for 20 minutes, but his efforts were unsuccessful and his wife was taken to University Hospital Limerick, where she was pronounced dead on April 23.
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The 38-year-old is survived by her three sons Jamie, Jason and JJ and daughter Annaleise Mary.
She died on her eldest son’s 20th birthday.
The post-mortem report revealed that Mrs O’Donoghue had signs of a blood clot in her lungs.
A toxicology report by pathologist Dr Teresa Laszlo showed there was cocaine and diazepam in her system, but no alcohol.
The cause of death was determined to be a blood clot, caused by a recent liposuction procedure, followed by air travel and drug use.
Dr. Laszlo’s report stated that “cocaine use may have contributed” to her death and that “the level of cocaine was significant.”
He added that this, along with air travel, will increase the risk of a blood clot.
The family asked Coroner John McNamara if Mrs O’Donoghue would have felt anything, but he said death by blood clot “is very sudden”.
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They also questioned whether she should have been put on anticoagulants when she left Turkey, which the coroner said “might have helped” but that there were a number of factors that contributed to her death.
He acknowledged that “it’s very difficult to talk about Lydia’s death like that – her untimely death a few months ago.”
Mr McNamara recorded a verdict of misadventure, saying Ms O’Donoghue never intended that outcome.
Condolences were sent to the family by the coroner and also Sergeant David Delahunty, on behalf of An Garda Síochána.
Mrs O’Donoghue was remembered at her funeral in April as a wonderful mother who loved music and fashion and was always the life and soul of the party.
Mrs O’Donoghue is survived by her husband Jonathan, four children, her mother Caroline, father Christopher, two sisters and two brothers, along with a large family circle and many kind friends.
May he rest in peace.
