A prominent California plastic surgeon with a history of legal troubles has been found dead in her backyard pool. Dr. Sarwa Aldoori, 71, was discovered at her home on Pineglen Drive in Bakersfield earlier this week, according to local reports.
The Kern County Coroner identified Aldoori, who had been practicing medicine for over three decades. The Bakersfield Police Department confirmed the death but said the cause, manner, and circumstances remain under investigation. No foul play has been reported yet.
Aldoori spent about 35 years as an OB-GYN before shifting to cosmetic surgery at Bella Health and Beauty, a practice she co-ran in northeast Bakersfield. But her career unraveled after a patient died in 2016 during what was described as a "botched" liposuction and tummy tuck procedure.
In March 2024, Aldoori voluntarily surrendered her California physician's license. The move came after allegations filed in 2021 linked her to the 2016 death. The California Medical Board had been investigating the case for years, but the doctor gave up her license before a final ruling.
The news has sent shockwaves through the medical and local communities. While Aldoori's death is not being treated as suspicious, the timing has raised eyebrows. The investigation into the 2016 patient death remains open, and authorities have not said whether criminal charges were imminent.
This isn't the first time a high-profile death has intersected with legal turmoil. Recently, the sports world mourned former NCAA volleyball star Summer Nash, who was found dead in the Pacific at 34. And the tragedy at the Broncos facility, where a construction worker died on site, reminded everyone that life can change in an instant.
Aldoori's death adds a somber chapter to a story already marked by loss. The 2016 patient's family has waited years for accountability, and now the doctor herself is gone. The Bakersfield Police Department urges anyone with information to come forward.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these tragic events.
