1. Crime
2. World

Fake cosmetologist facing homicide charge in fatal botched butt lift

Police say two women brought Maxine Messam to a Bronx hospital in her BMW and claimed they had found her outside a cemetery

Published Oct 23, 2026  •  Last updated 1 hour ago  •  1 minute read

Maxine Messam, 53, of Bridgeport, CT, died after having an illegal butt lift procedure. Photo by Maxine Messam /FACEBOOK

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

• Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
• Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
• Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
• Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
• Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

• Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
• Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
• Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
• Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
• Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account.
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
• Enjoy additional articles per month.
• Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

• Access articles from across Canada with one account
• Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
• Enjoy additional articles per month
• Get email updates from your favourite authors

A New York woman posing as a cosmetologist has been arrested for allegedly killing a Connecticut woman with dodgy silicone injections.

Maxine Messam, 53, of Bridgeport, Conn., was dumped half-naked and unconscious outside Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx after receiving back-alley butt injections nearly five years ago.

Alicia Leslie, 47, of Mount Vernon, N.Y., was arrested on Oct. 16, the New York Daily News reported.

She faces charges of criminally negligent homicide and unauthorized practice of a profession.

Leslie, also known as “Toya,” injected Messam with a “silicone substance,” according to the criminal complaint obtained by the outlet.

Police said two women were seen arriving at the hospital in the victim’s BMW.

They then pulled Messam — who was naked from the waist down and reportedly had needle marks all over her body — from the vehicle and loaded her onto a gurney. The women claimed to be Good Samaritans, telling hospital staff they found Messam outside a local cemetery in the same condition.

The pair then left the hospital, where Messam was pronounced dead. Hospital staff called 911 shortly after her death.

It is unclear whether the other woman is facing charges.

Leslie was released without bail last week after being arraigned in Bronx Criminal Supreme Court.

Her lawyer, Kyle Watters, told the Daily News that his client denies the allegations.

“She looks forward to her day in court,” Watters said. “I’m confident she’ll be exonerated because she didn’t do anything wrong.”

Police said Leslie, who is married with kids and owns an interstate trucking company, has multiple prior arrests, including for grand larceny, petty larceny and possession of stolen property.

She is due back in court Nov. 4.

Messam is survived by her husband, two daughters and a son.

—With files from Brad Hunter

1. 
   Ontario
2. 
   Toronto Maple Leafs
3. 
   World
4. 
   World
5. 
   NHL