Chula Vista Surgeon Gets 3 Years for Patient’s Tragic Death: Shocking Verdict
In a heartbreaking turn of events, Dr. Carlos Chacon and a nurse from Divino Plastic Surgery in Bonita have been charged in connection with the tragic death of Megan Espinoza during what was supposed to be a routine surgical procedure.
CHULA VISTA, Calif. — A cosmetic surgeon from Chula Vista has pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the death of a patient during a breast augmentation surgery. On September 20, he was sentenced to three years behind bars.
The District Attorney’s Office has charged Dr. Carlos Chacon with involuntary manslaughter in the devastating case involving 36-year-old Megan Espinoza, a devoted mother from South Bay.
Espinoza’s life was cut short in December 2018 after a botched breast augmentation at Chacon’s South Bay clinic, Divino Plastic Surgery.
The Heart-Wrenching Story of Megan Espinoza
On December 19, 2018, Megan, a loving mother of two, walked into Divino Plastic Surgery on Otay Lakes Road for what she believed would be a simple enhancement.
According to records obtained by investigators, Megan consented to surgery under “conscious sedation” with a licensed anesthesiologist present. However, in a shocking breach of protocol, Chacon administered anesthesia himself without proper supervision.
As the procedure began, staff injected Megan with a mix of pain medications, yet chaos ensued. Disturbingly, video footage revealed staff members snapping selfies inside the operating room during the surgery.
Over an hour later, the alarm was raised when nurses noticed Megan’s heart rate skyrocketing. Tragically, her heart stopped moments after.
From 2:22 p.m. to 4:10 p.m., Chacon attempted CPR while nurses administered multiple doses of Narcan and other emergency drugs. Yet, shockingly, while Megan lay unresponsive, Chacon was reportedly on the phone consulting other doctors instead of calling 911.
Instead of immediately reaching out for emergency help, he delayed, even after being advised to do so. As Megan exhibited signs of distress, including gurgling noises and seizure-like activity, the call to 911 was only made at 5:24 p.m.—three hours after CPR began.
Megan was rushed to the hospital, where she remained on life support for several weeks before succumbing to her injuries.
Further investigations revealed that Chacon had to refer to a ‘cheat sheet’ while attempting to administer CPR, highlighting a gross lack of preparedness. Even so, investigators found that he and his team failed to adhere to the guidelines on that very sheet.
Shocking patterns emerged, revealing that Chacon had allowed unlicensed staff to administer anesthesia and perform medical procedures on patients, resulting in the revocation of his medical license.
In July of this year, Chacon pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, receiving a sentence of three years and a lifetime suspension of his medical license.
The nurse involved, Heather Vass, also pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, resulting in a two-year prison sentence.
During the emotional victim impact statements, Megan’s husband, Moises Espinoza, shared tearfully, “I was robbed of saying goodbye to her, robbed of our future.”
Megan’s father spoke out, pleading for a longer sentence, while her mother reflected on her daughter’s boundless love for her family and the students she taught.
“Those who are responsible for Megan’s death have sentenced us all to a lifetime of grief,” lamented Judith Gorcey, Megan’s mother.
Before sentencing, Chacon addressed the court, expressing remorse and wishing he could trade places with Megan. He recognized the pain his actions had caused to her family.
Vass also expressed her sorrow, stating, “Her death will haunt me for the rest of my days for not calling for help.” The judge acknowledged her remorse but also noted her troubling past, which influenced the sentencing.
Both defendants were taken into custody, marking a somber end to a case that has left a community in mourning.
