A British mother-of-two died as a result of complications following cosmetic surgery procedures in Turkey, a coroner's court has concluded.
Inquest Hears of Family's Concerns
Sophie Hunt, a 34-year-old chef from Northampton, passed away on 9 March 2022, just two days after undergoing a tummy tuck and a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) at the private Nisantasi Hospital in Istanbul. An inquest held at Northampton Coroner's Court on Thursday 18 December 2025 heard that her family believe she may not have been medically fit for the operations.
In a statement read to the court, Ms Hunt's mother, Sandra Hunt, described her daughter as "outgoing, bubbly and very kind". She revealed that paperwork from the Turkish hospital indicated abnormal ECG readings suggesting an irregular heartbeat prior to surgery. "We believe she was not fit for the surgery," Mrs Hunt stated.
Sequence of a Tragedy
The inquest was told that Sophie Hunt underwent an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and liposuction on 7 March 2022. She subsequently suffered a sudden loss of consciousness. Although resuscitated, she then experienced a second cardiac arrest in an ambulance during a transfer to Avrupa Safak Hospital, which had a specialist cardiac intensive care unit.
Ms Hunt ultimately suffered three cardiac arrests and died from multiple organ failure and respiratory failure. A post-mortem examination carried out in the UK by consultant histopathologist Professor Kevin West confirmed she died due to complications of the surgical procedure.
Limits of Jurisdiction and Official Findings
Assistant coroner Sophie Lomas recorded a narrative conclusion, stating: "Sophie Hunt died due to complications of a surgical procedure carried out whilst abroad." She explained that because the death occurred in another country, she lacked the jurisdiction to fully investigate the events within the Turkish hospital.
Both the Turkish Council of Forensic Medicine and the UK post-mortem reached aligned conclusions. The Turkish report stated her death was "a result of abdominoplasty and liposuction procedures and the complications that developed thereafter". Professor West noted that while the exact cause of the cardiopulmonary arrest was unclear, it was likely linked to the surgeries.
The case highlights the profound risks associated with overseas cosmetic surgery and the complex legal aftermath for grieving families seeking answers.
