Family sues after woman dies following plastic surgery in Dominican Republic

NEW YORK (WABC) -- An apparent botched surgery claimed the life of a mother from Long Island.

Rachene Hutchinson, like many women, flew to the Dominican Republic to get cheaper plastic surgery.

But the low cost had a high risk.

Her family says she died on the operating table.

Now they're caught in an international legal tug of war.

"This is so devastating. We can't believe it. It's still like a nightmare. My daughter is now coming home in a box," said Diane Shields, Rachene's mother.

Rachene Hutchinson green hoped to enhance her appearance and found a more affordable way to do it by traveling to the Dominican Republic.

The Long Island woman died from complications after getting liposuction and a tummy tuck last week, her three young children and their dad were there.

"There's no way to make up for her. I got to raise three kids here without a mother and they're so young and all the stuff she would do for them. It was so much. There's no way we can ever replace that," said Miguel Corporan, Rachene's husband.

"I am very, you know depressed, because this is very difficult for all people who stay with her," Dr. Hector Cabral said.

Diane Shields' called the doctor who performed the surgery to find out what happened to her daughter.

Dr. Hector Cabral said it could have been a heart attack, but he still doesn't know.

So Eyewitness News called to get answers, but was told Dr. Cabral was in surgery.

Rachene paid $6,500 for the surgery, a fraction of what it would cost in the U.S.

A handful of American women have died at the Santo Domingo facility and dozens more complain online that they were disfigured.

28-year-old Beverly Brignoni died in February after getting a tummy tuck and liposuction.

Two years ago, 31-year-old Ericka Hernandez died after getting a tummy tuck, liposuction, and butt implants.

"I saw the website. It looks great. You would think this was the place, but it's not. It's a death palace," said Jasmine Shields, Rachene's sister.

Last year, the New York Attorney General's office fined Dr. Cabral more than $20,000 and sent him home for unauthorized practice of medicine, because he recruited patients in Washington Heights by examining them in beauty salons.

But a spokesperson says because the surgeries were done in a different country the office can't pursue tougher charges.

So Rachene's family is going after him themselves by hiring an attorney and hoping to shut him down.

"If he would have been in jail from the last women he killed my daughter would be alive today," Diane Shields said.