Maxine Messam Cause of Death: Mum, 53, Dies After Alleged Botched Butt Lift as Woman Faces Homicide Charge

Connecticut mother Maxine Messam, 53, died in February 2022 after an alleged cosmetic procedure involving silicone injections. More than four years later, Alicia ‘Toya’ Leslie, 47, of Mount Vernon, New York, faces criminally negligent homicide and unauthorized practice of a profession charges in connection with her death.

Prosecutors allege Leslie performed the procedure without the required professional license and that the injections caused Messam’s death. However, publicly available reports do not establish a definitive medical cause of death, and Leslie has denied wrongdoing.

What Happened to Maxine Messam?

Messam was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx shortly before 2 a.m. on Feb. 15, 2022. According to police, two women brought her to the hospital in her own vehicle and said they had found her near Woodlawn Cemetery. She was unconscious and unresponsive when she arrived, prompting hospital staff to contact authorities.

Police said Messam had multiple injection marks on her buttocks and was not wearing clothing below the waist. She was pronounced dead at the hospital, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

The two women reportedly left after handing Messam over to medical staff. Investigators subsequently examined whether she had undergone a cosmetic procedure before her death. The case remained unresolved for several years before authorities announced Leslie’s arrest in October 2026.

Who Is Alicia Leslie?

Leslie was arrested on Oct. 16, 2026, and charged with criminally negligent homicide and unauthorized practice of a profession, according to police reports.

Prosecutors allege Leslie injected a silicone substance into Messam’s buttocks for cosmetic enhancement despite lacking a license to practice medicine or cosmetic surgery. They further allege that the injections caused Messam’s death.

Leslie’s attorney, Kyle Watters, has said she denies the allegations and expects to be cleared of wrongdoing. According to local media reports, Leslie pleaded not guilty and was released without bail following her arraignment. She is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 4.

The charges have not been proven in court, and Leslie is presumed innocent unless and until she is found guilty.

The case has also drawn attention to warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about injectable silicone. The agency has not approved injectable silicone for cosmetic body contouring or buttock enlargement and warns that its use can cause serious complications, including infections, blood vessel blockages, strokes, and death. Complications may occur immediately or develop later.

Investigation Highlights Risks of Unlicensed Cosmetic Procedures

Messam’s death has renewed attention on the potential dangers of cosmetic procedures involving injectable substances that are not approved for the intended use, particularly when performed by unlicensed practitioners.

The FDA advises consumers against using injectable fillers for buttock enlargement because these products are not approved for that purpose and can cause serious injuries. However, the agency’s general safety warnings do not establish what specifically caused Messam’s death.

The case against Leslie remains ongoing. Key questions include whether the alleged injections directly caused Messam’s death and whether Leslie bears criminal responsibility. The definitive medical cause of death remains unclear from the reports.