San Diego Family Seeks Justice After Woman's Death Following Plastic Surgery

In 2018, 36-year-old Megan Espinoza died following a plastic surgery procedure in San Diego. She had undergone breast augmentation surgery at Divino Surgery Center in Bonita.

During the procedure, Megan went into cardiac arrest after being administered anesthesia by nurse Heather Vass, who was not licensed to perform that role. Instead of immediately calling 911, the surgeon, Dr. Carlos Chacon, delayed for three hours, consulting with other doctors and checking on other patients.

Court documents showed he instructed his staff to conceal the severity of Megan's condition from her husband.

Megan was eventually transferred to a hospital, but despite efforts to save her, she died a month later. Her death left her husband, Moises Espinoza, and their two young children devastated, and her passing deeply impacted her parents and the students she taught as a kindergarten teacher.

In court, Megan’s family gave emotional testimony, describing the irreplaceable loss they now face. Her husband shared how their sons would never truly understand a mother’s love, while her parents spoke of the emptiness left behind. They pleaded for the maximum possible sentence for Dr. Chacon, whose failure to act promptly during the procedure had contributed to Megan’s death.

Dr. Chacon had previously accepted a plea deal, resulting in a three-year prison sentence and the permanent revocation of his California medical license, a sentence that some saw as lenient given the circumstances. He expressed remorse in court, acknowledging his failure as a physician and the pain it caused to Megan's family.

Nurse Heather Vass, who administered a fatal mix of drugs including ketamine and fentanyl, was also sentenced to two years in prison for her role in Megan’s death. While both Chacon and Vass will face legal consequences, the emotional toll on Megan’s loved ones will continue, as they navigate life without her.