A woman who died after travelling to America to have a buttock enlargement operation had sworn never to have another cosmetic injection after the pain she experienced following a previous procedure, her ex-boyfriend claimed.

Claudia Aderotimi, 20, died after suffering medical complications following the treatment, which she received in a hotel room in America.

Paul Djimo, her former boyfriend, said the aspiring dancer and model had undergone a similar procedure just months earlier.

Police investigating the tragedy have cleared one woman they were questioning but are still searching for a transgender suspect who is believed to have administered the fatal injections, according to reports.

Speaking to The Sun, Mr Djimo, 20, said he was shocked when he learned Miss Aderotimi, who was from Nigeria but lived in London, had returned to the US for a second appointment.

The semi-professional footballer said: “After she had the injections last time, she told me she couldn’t take the pain and wouldn’t do it again. I never thought she would go back.

“When she first mentioned having surgery, I thought it was just a joke. We laughed about it and I never imagined it would end up being the cause of her death.”

Miss Aderotimi, of Hackney, East London, travelled to Philadelphia with three friends on Saturday, before the silicone injections were administered in her buttocks at the Hampton Inn on Monday.

After suffering chest pains and breathing problems she was rushed to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after.

One friend had a similar cosmetic procedure but was not taken to hospital, according to police.

Officers investigating her death said the surgery, which is understood to have cost more than £1,000, was arranged over the internet.

Police Lieutenant John Walker said investigators have cleared a New Jersey woman who helped arrange the procedures, but was not in the hotel room when Miss Aderotimi and a friend received their injections.

She is now being considered as a witness in the case.

They are unsure if the woman who performed the procedure was licensed or unlicensed and have conducted several searches in an effort to find her.

Mr Djimo, of Tottenham, North London, revealed Miss Aderotimi was studying at Thames Valley University and also in a girl group called The Chocolatez.

They described themselves as “a multi-talented group of three African girls” whose talents include dancing, singing, modelling and acting.

“Claudia wanted to be a superstar. She had big dreams,” added Mr Djimo.

“Her death is absolutely devastating.”

Miss Aderotimi had her first silicone injections in November, but it is unknown if they were carried out illegally.

Mr Djimo said: “It sounded like it cost a lot so I assumed it was all done properly. She didn’t need it. She was a pretty girl, anyone could see that.

“But she told me having the injections made her feel better about herself. Every girl has something they don’t like about their looks and she mentioned her bum a few times.

“The industry she was trying to break into is competitive and dominated by US stars. And over there the size of your bum is extremely important.”

A post-mortem examination was unable to establish Miss Aderotimi’s cause of death and authorities are waiting for toxicology reports from the medical examiner before deciding what charges may be filed.

Liquid silicone is sought on the black market by women seeking to enhance their figures, even though it is not approved for cosmetic injections. It was not known what substance was used on the women at the hotel.

One of Britain’s leading plastic surgeons, Dr Rajiv Grover, described the silicone injection procedure as “like playing Russian roulette. You get away with it sometimes but each time you have it done you’re risking your life”.

Shadow Public Health Minister Diane Abbott last night demanded tighter regulation of the cosmetic surgery industry following the tragedy.

“There are too many ‘makeover’ shows that imply plastic surgery is as simple as cutting your hair,” said Ms Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington.

“In fact it is a potential life-threatening procedure which should not be embarked on at too young an age without proper medical counselling.”

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By Nick Collins
Telegraph Media Group