A phony doctor in an upscale Manhattan enclave has been upgraded to homicide charges after his anti-aging injection killed a young woman, authorities said.
Luis Rojas Cabrera, 55, who ran the Bereshit Lifestyle Center in Riverdale, was initially arrested on July 20 and arraigned in Bronx Criminal Court on counts of reckless endangerment and unauthorized practice of a profession. Prosecutors said he was not licensed to practice medicine in the United States, though he holds credentials in the Dominican Republic. He has two prior arrests, including one for attempting to bring medical supplies into the country.
Elizabeth Baron, 27, died in July after Rojas Cabrera injected her with NAD+ at his spa, police said. She went into cardiac arrest following the treatment and could not be saved. The results of Baron’s autopsy, completed in the months since her death, prompted prosecutors to escalate the charges against him to homicide.
Rojas Cabrera was released without bail following his initial arrest in July. The upgraded charges mean he now faces significantly more serious legal exposure. Sources familiar with the investigation said additional charges against him could be forthcoming as the probe continues.
The treatment that killed Baron has attracted celebrity adherents who helped popularize it. Models Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber have publicly identified themselves as devotees of NAD+ injections, contributing to broader interest in the trendy anti-aging molecules among wellness-conscious consumers.
NAD+, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, occurs naturally in the body and plays a role in cellular energy production. Proponents claim injections can reverse aging effects, boost energy, and improve overall wellness, though medical experts have raised questions about the safety of unregulated administration. The molecule has become particularly fashionable in high-end spas and lifestyle clinics catering to affluent clients seeking cutting-edge treatments.
The case has drawn attention to the risks of seeking medical treatments from unlicensed providers operating in seemingly legitimate wellness spaces. Riverdale, the leafy Bronx neighborhood where Bereshit Lifestyle Center was located, is known for its upscale homes and relatively affluent population, making it an unlikely setting for such a fatal medical mishap. Rojas Cabrera operated his center there despite lacking any legal authorization to practice medicine in the country where he was treating patients.
The investigation into Baron’s death remains active, with law enforcement officials continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal injection and Rojas Cabrera’s broader operations at his lifestyle center.