A 27-year-old woman died Sunday afternoon after she was injected with an “anti-aging therapy” at a Bronx holistic medicine center, police said.
According to the NYPD, the woman was unconscious and unresponsive when transported from the Bereshit Lifestyle Center to New York-Presbyterian Allen Hospital. When police arrived at the hospital around 1:10 p.m., the woman was pronounced dead. Police have not released her name.
The NYPD said Luis Rojas Cabrera, the doctor of the Bereshit clinic, has been arrested and charged with reckless endangerment and unauthorized practice of a profession. According to the clinic’s website, Rojas is a registered doctor in the Dominican Republic, but only certified in two United States’ boards in “holistic health” and “alternative medicine.”
The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death during an autopsy, and police said they continue to investigate the incident.
The Bereshit Lifestyle Center did not respond to several requests for comment. According to their website, the center offers a range of “therapies,” and sells supplements and extracts.
“We have done research on many natural substances, in their respective regions, which contain properties that support and stimulate the body's natural defenses along with therapies,” the website said. “At the same time, we have also investigated the side effects, interactions, and appropriate dosages in order to obtain maximum results.”
On the same page, the site shared a disclaimer, saying that “these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration” and that “these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”
In December 2025, the New York City Council released an investigation into inspections of businesses that offer medical and spa services that didn’t have the necessary licenses to conduct medical procedures — like liposuction, hair removals and Brazilian butt lifts.
