The family of actress Cindyana Santangelo delivered emotional testimony as they confronted the woman who killed their loved one with a fatal silicone injection. Libby Adame, known as California's "Butt Lady," sat emotionless in court as relatives described the devastating impact of losing the 58-year-old "Married... with Children" star.

Adame, 55, was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for Santangelo's death after being convicted of second-degree murder and practicing medicine without a license, according to the New York Post. The sentencing hearing on Wednesday featured heartbreaking victim impact statements from Santangelo's husband and son.

Santangelo died on March 24 from an embolism caused by a silicone injection that Adame allegedly performed at the actress's Malibu home. The case represents the latest in a series of fatal incidents connected to Adame's illegal cosmetic procedures.

Emotional Family Testimony Delivers Impact

Frank Santangelo, the victim's husband, fought back tears as he addressed the court about losing his wife and best friend. "I will never have my best friend, my boys won't have their mom at their weddings," he told the judge during the emotional hearing. His statement captured the profound personal loss that extends far beyond the immediate tragedy.

The couple's son, Dante, also spoke during the proceedings, emphasizing his belief that Adame poses a continued threat to public safety. "I don't think someone who has no regard for human life should be let back on the street," he declared to the court. His words reflected the family's desire for justice and protection of other potential victims.

Adame appeared in court wearing a blue prison uniform and was handcuffed to her chair throughout the proceedings. Despite the powerful testimony from Santangelo's family members, she remained emotionless and showed no visible reaction to their statements. Her own daughter and grandson were present in the courtroom to support her during the sentencing hearing.

Defense Claims Procedural Timeline Issues

Adame's defense attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, argued that his client didn't have sufficient time during her visit to perform the dangerous procedure. He contended that someone else must have administered the fatal injection that led to Santangelo's death. The defense strategy attempted to create a reasonable doubt about Adame's direct involvement in the actual injection.

Flanagan claimed that Adame was only at the actress's home as a consultant for practitioners in Tijuana, Mexico, where such procedures are legal. This argument suggested that her role was advisory rather than hands-on in the cosmetic enhancement process. The defense positioned Adame as merely providing guidance rather than performing the actual medical procedure.

The attorney's strategy focused on the timeline of events and the logistics of performing such a procedure during Adame's visit. However, prosecutors successfully convinced the jury that Adame was directly responsible for the fatal injection despite these defense arguments. The conviction demonstrated that the evidence supported the prosecution's case regarding Adame's culpability.

Previous Fatal Incidents Establish Pattern

This case was not Adame's first connection to a deadly cosmetic injection, as she was previously convicted of involuntary manslaughter in another woman's death. In 2019, Karissa Rajpaul, 26, died from a similar silicone injection in Sherman Oaks, leading to Adame's conviction on charges of involuntary manslaughter and practicing medicine without certification. She received a four-year, four-month state prison sentence but was later released on time served.

Adame was on probation at the time she visited Santangelo's home and was aware that she could no longer perform "butt work" in California. Her attorney acknowledged that she knew the legal restrictions on her activities following the previous conviction. This knowledge made her alleged actions in the Santangelo case particularly egregious from a legal standpoint.

Prosecutors also presented evidence from a 2018 incident at a South Gate salon where security footage showed Adame leaving moments before paramedics treated a woman who later died from a silicone injection. While no charges were filed in that case, the evidence suggested Adame understood the serious risks associated with these cosmetic procedures. The pattern of incidents demonstrated a troubling history of dangerous practices.

Lessons to Learn

1. Always verify the credentials of any professional administering medical or cosmetic procedures. Licensure and oversight exist to protect patients from harm, and proceeding without proper documentation can be deadly. Even trained individuals must operate within legal boundaries.

2. Understand the medical risks of underground cosmetic treatments. Silicone injections not performed by medical practitioners in regulated environments can cause embolisms, infections, and death. Saving money can never justify risking your life.

3. Public awareness and caution are crucial, but crimes can still happen to anyone. Victims are never to blame for crimes committed against them. Cindyana Santangelo's case is a reminder that criminal negligence can come from seemingly trustworthy sources, and vigilance is key.

Why This Story Matters

This case sheds light on the dangers of the underground cosmetic industry, which continues to harm unsuspecting individuals seeking beauty enhancements. It raises questions about the effective enforcement of probation rules and the regulation of medical practices. Communities must remain informed to prevent further tragedies.

Conclusion

Libby Adame, known as the “Butt Lady,” was sentenced to 15 years to life in a Los Angeles courtroom for the second-degree murder of actress Cindyana Santangelo, who died from an unauthorized silicone injection at her Malibu home. Adame’s defense argued she was only visiting as a consultant, but the court found her guilty based on prior history and circumstantial evidence. Previously convicted in a similar fatal case, Adame was on probation at the time and legally barred from performing such procedures. Victim impact statements from Santangelo’s family highlighted the deep grief and anger left behind. With her long history of dangerous, unlicensed activity finally coming to a legal close, this case stands as a cautionary tale about the perilous intersection of beauty, trust, and crime.