Mum, 33, Dies During Tattoo Session After Alleged Animal Sedative Injection
A 33-year-old mother of three has died during a tattoo session in Colombia after allegedly receiving multiple injections from a man accused of posing as a medical professional.
A 33-year-old mother of three has died during a tattoo session at her home in Colombia after reportedly being given several injections by a man who allegedly presented himself as a medical professional.
Yenifer Garcia was undergoing a large tattoo procedure when the session reportedly became too painful for her to continue without some form of sedation. According to reports, she was subsequently injected several times before losing consciousness.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, including allegations that drugs intended for medical or veterinary use may have been administered during the procedure.
A tattoo session that turned into a tragedy
Garcia reportedly wanted a large tattoo extending across her back and buttocks. The extensive design required multiple sessions, and according to accounts from her family, she had struggled with the intense pain during earlier appointments.
When the discomfort became difficult to tolerate, a friend reportedly suggested that she hire someone who could provide anaesthesia.
The man recommended to Garcia was identified in reports as Sanchez Goes. However, investigators allege that Goes was not a qualified anaesthesiologist. He was reportedly a nurse and allegedly did not have the specialist experience required to administer powerful sedative drugs safely.
Garcia reportedly paid around £141, equivalent to approximately COP 600,000, for his services.
On August 15, CCTV footage allegedly captured Goes arriving at Garcia's home in the Terrazas de San Jorge neighbourhood.
At first, Garcia was reportedly awake and communicating with her daughter. As the tattoo procedure continued, however, she is said to have complained that the pain remained unbearable.
Her family claims she asked for medication to help her cope.
Multiple injections reportedly given
According to statements attributed to Garcia's relatives, she was injected repeatedly after saying that the pain was still too severe.
Her sister, Claudia, reportedly said the injections continued whenever Garcia complained that the tattoo still hurt.
Garcia eventually lost consciousness.
Her daughter then contacted emergency services and was reportedly instructed over the phone on how to perform resuscitation attempts.
Despite those efforts, Garcia could not be revived and died at the scene, with her daughter reportedly present.
The devastating incident has raised serious questions about the use of sedatives outside properly equipped medical environments and about the risks involved when individuals without appropriate qualifications administer powerful drugs.
Police discover suspected medical and anaesthetic substances
Following Garcia's death, investigators reportedly searched the property.
According to the reports, detectives found a box containing ketamine, a bottle of a drug identified as Dormicum, a syringe and sterile powder.
Ketamine is a powerful drug that has legitimate medical uses but can also carry significant risks when administered incorrectly or without appropriate monitoring.
Dormicum is a brand associated with midazolam, a benzodiazepine sedative used in medical settings. Such medicines can affect breathing, consciousness and the cardiovascular system, particularly when used incorrectly or combined with other substances.
The exact substances administered to Garcia, the quantities involved and the precise cause of her death remain matters for investigators and medical authorities to establish.
Reports also state that Garcia's partner, Jonathan Cantor, told police about conversations involving Goes and emergency responders. Cantor allegedly said Goes referred to ketamine and another substance and may have administered injections several times.
Garcia's sister also reportedly recalled hearing the term "pink cocaine" during the incident.
The term "pink cocaine" can be misleading because products sold under that name may contain different combinations of substances. Despite its nickname, it is not necessarily cocaine and should not be assumed to have a consistent chemical composition.
Warnings over dangerous sedation
A local councillor reportedly questioned how someone without the appropriate qualifications could obtain powerful drugs.
Health officials have also warned about the dangers of using sedatives without proper medical supervision.
Luis Alexander Moscoso Osorio, a health official in Bogotá, reportedly said that sedative medicines should only be used in clinical environments equipped to manage potential complications.
Sedative drugs can cause severe loss of consciousness and may affect breathing and the nervous system. Depending on the drug and dose, complications can include cardiovascular problems, seizures and potentially life-threatening respiratory depression.
The case highlights why anaesthesia is not simply a way of making a painful procedure more comfortable. Proper anaesthesia and sedation require assessment, appropriate medication, monitoring and the ability to respond immediately if something goes wrong.
A family left devastated
Garcia reportedly leaves behind a partner of more than two decades and three children aged 10, 14 and 19.
What was intended to be a personal tattoo project has instead ended in an investigation and an unimaginable loss for her family.
The incident has also prompted renewed discussion about tattoo safety and the risks of seeking pain relief outside regulated medical care.
Large tattoos can involve lengthy sessions and considerable discomfort, but people considering extensive procedures should be particularly cautious about anyone offering to provide sedation outside a properly regulated medical setting.
A tattoo artist is not automatically qualified to administer anaesthetic or sedative medication, and a person claiming to have medical experience should have their professional credentials independently verified.
What happens next?
Authorities are continuing to investigate Garcia's death. A full medical examination and toxicology testing will be important in determining which substances were present in her body and whether they contributed to her death.
It is also expected that investigators will examine how the alleged drugs were obtained and whether any professional or legal regulations were breached.
At this stage, allegations made by relatives or reported by authorities should not be treated as established facts until the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings have concluded.
The tragedy serves as a stark reminder that powerful sedatives and anaesthetic medicines can carry serious risks. Their use requires appropriate training, medical assessment, monitoring equipment and emergency support.
For anyone undergoing a tattoo, especially a large or lengthy procedure, unbearable pain should never be treated by relying on unqualified individuals or unregulated medication. Seeking professional medical advice is a far safer approach.
Source
The Sun report published on August 27, 2026, concerning the death of Yenifer Garcia in Colombia.
Disclaimer: Allegations, statements attributed to relatives and claims under investigation are presented as allegations and should not be considered proven facts. The exact cause of death, substances administered and any legal responsibility remain subject to official investigation and medical or judicial findings. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical or legal advice.
