US Citizen Disappears After Plastic Surgery in Guatemala City: Family Desperate for Answers
A shocking story has emerged from Guatemala City, where a US citizen mysteriously vanished following a scheduled plastic surgery. Floridalma Roque, a 59-year-old caregiver from Queens, New York, arrived at the Perfektima clinic on the morning of June 13 for liposuction on her back and arms. However, a day later, Roque had disappeared without a trace, leaving her family desperate for answers.
Roque’s daughter, Vida Roque, spoke to CBS News about the harrowing ordeal. She revealed that her stepfather, Jeremias, had called her on June 14, in tears and claiming that Floridalma never returned home from the clinic. This news shocked the family, as Roque was known to dislike traveling alone and always had someone accompany her. Vida also mentioned that Rosario Sandoval, a relative who had agreed to pick up Roque from the clinic, confirmed that she had spoken to the receptionist and the surgeon, Dr. Kevin Malouf. However, the information they received from the clinic raised red flags.
The family grew increasingly suspicious as Dr. Malouf’s story kept changing. At first, he claimed that Roque had left the clinic on her own. Then he said she had been with a nurse and in a wheelchair. The inconsistencies in his statements led the family to believe that he was not being truthful. However, they felt powerless as the Perfektima clinic is renowned and considered one of Guatemala’s most luxurious plastic surgery providers.
Surveillance footage obtained by the Guatemalan police showed a woman being escorted from the clinic, but the family did not believe it was their mother. The woman in the video appeared tall, while Roque was described as petite. Vida contacted the police in New York and approached the FBI and the US Embassy in Guatemala City for help, but their efforts yielded no results. The US government stated that they could only make “strong suggestions” and needed an invitation from local law enforcement to conduct an investigation on foreign soil.
The case eventually fell into the hands of Guatemalan police, who obtained surveillance video from the clinic. The footage revealed a patient with a bandaged head leaving the office, but the family did not recognize the person. Additionally, strange behavior by Dr. Malouf and clinic staff was captured on camera, including the disposal of large garbage bags on the night of Roque’s disappearance.
Guatemala’s Public Ministry reported that on July 28, 2023, the Prosecutor’s Office against the Crime of Femicide conducted searches and seized evidence in four properties related to the case. Subsequently, Dr. Malouf, Ligia Silva, Luis Castro, and Susana Rojas were arrested and charged with kidnapping and obstruction of criminal action. Dr. Malouf claimed on his Facebook account that Roque had left the clinic in a wheelchair and that he had no communication with her after that.
Despite these developments, there has been no sign of Floridalma Roque since her disappearance. Her family has faced numerous challenges, caught between two worlds as they navigate two different criminal justice systems. They have yet to receive a death certificate from authorities in the US or Guatemala, leaving them in a difficult situation. Without a body, it can take months or even years to obtain a death certificate.
Renée Williams, Executive Director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, emphasized the complexity of declaring someone dead without a body, especially when the crime occurred outside of the country. She urged crime victims or their families to reach out to victims’ support groups for resources and assistance.
Roque’s children, siblings, and husband have traveled to Guatemala to pressure investigators on the case. However, they face challenges due to the resources and influence of the doctor involved. The family’s lawyer, Jonathan Villatoro, is working to ensure that a high-impact judge is assigned to the case.
As the investigation continues, Roque’s family remains in limbo, desperately awaiting answers. They are determined to find out the truth about what happened to their beloved mother and wife, as they refuse to give up hope.