Dr. Benjamin Jacob Brown, a Georgetown-educated plastic surgeon in Florida, has been charged with second-degree homicide following the death of his wife, Hillary Ellington Brown, during a cosmetic procedure at his clinic, Restore Plastic Surgery. The incident unfolded on November 21, 2023, when Brown administered a fatal overdose of medication to Hillary, who was undergoing multiple procedures, including abdominal scar revision and arm liposuction.
The Pensacola News Journal reports that Brown, 41, was arrested on Monday by the Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office and is currently held in the Santa Rosa County Jail. He allegedly delayed calling 911 for up to 20 minutes after his wife became unresponsive. Despite showing signs of lidocaine toxicity, Brown continued the procedure, leading to Hillary’s condition worsening. She was later rushed to Ascension Sacred Heart Emergency Care Department in Pensacola but passed away after a week on life support due to lidocaine toxicity complications.
An investigation revealed that Hillary Brown, who was not a licensed medical professional, was allowed to prepare her anesthesia solution. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office noted that she had even sewn up her abdominal incision during the procedure. Brown’s failure to promptly seek emergency help and his continued administration of lidocaine were critical factors in her death.
Brown posted on social media on November 24, “We need prayers for a miracle. Hillary had a cardiac arrest on Tuesday afternoon. We called 911 and started CPR. Her heart came back but her brain is not doing well.” However, Hillary’s father, Marty Ellington, holds Brown accountable for her death. “My family lives in a sea of tears for eternity due to the actions of one careless individual,” Ellington stated. “His ego and arrogance overshadowed the need for help, prolonging oxygen deprivation to her brain and ultimately causing her death.”
In May, the Florida Department of Health issued an emergency order restricting Brown’s medical license, highlighting his failure to ensure patient safety. The order stated, “The level of disregard Dr. Brown paid to patient safety, even when the patient was his wife, indicates that Dr. Brown is unwilling or incapable of providing the appropriate level of care to his future patients.” The investigation continues to ensure that justice is served in this tragic case.
