One of two women who suffered a severe adverse reaction after being injected with silicone at a “pumping party” on June 19 died early Monday morning at Scripps Mercy Hospital, police confirmed.

Patricio Gonzalez, 45, was rushed to the hospital after she experienced severe breathing problems as a result of the procedure, which police believe was performed by a Los Angeles woman who does not have a medical license.

Gonzalez was one of five male-to-female transsexuals who attended the pumping party in University Heights several weeks ago. One of the women remains in “very serious condition” at Scripps Mercy Hospital, said Kevin Rooney, the investigator handling the case at the San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit. Two women were examined the night of the party and given the all-clear, and another was treated at the hospital’s trauma center and released.

SDPD issued an arrest warrant two weeks ago for Sammia “Angelica” Garcia-Gonzalez in connection with the case. Garcia-Gonzalez allegedly left the party, held in the 4000 block of Florida Street, shortly after two of the women began experiencing breathing difficulties.

Garcia-Gonzalez, 39, from Lynwood, Los Angeles, is described as 5’3”, weighing 165 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. Police said she was reportedly driving a red Chrysler PT Cruiser when in San Diego, and possibly injected several others in the area with silicone that same weekend.

“We’d still like to talk with anyone who has had a relationship with Sammia, especially if they have had injections or procedures done by her,” Rooney said. “We understand that there may be some concern on their part [to talk to the police], but all I can give them is my word that all we want to do is talk to them, and we will thank them and send them on home.”

Anyone with information about the case is urged to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293, or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (888) 580-TIPS.

The Medical Board of California confirmed to the Gay & Lesbian Times that it is not illegal to receive cosmetic surgery in a residential apartment or at a party, but the procedure must be performed by a licensed doctor or a nurse supervised by a doctor. Garcia-Gonzalez is not a medical professional licensed in California and, if found guilty, could be prosecuted for manslaughter or second-degree murder, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Pumping parties to enhance the hips, buttocks, lips and breasts are known in the transgender community for being an affordable way to achieve immediately-visible physical results. Under a doctor’s supervision, medical-grade silicone is implanted under the skin in sealed sacs to prevent leaking. “Pumping” involves injecting medical- or industrial-grade silicone directly into the body, where it has the ability to migrate into other parts of the body and can cause serious infections, often in the lungs. Industrial-grade silicone is not sterile, and has been known to be mixed with a variety of substances, including paraffin, oil and peanut butter.

Rooney said police are still unsure whether industrial- or medical-grade silicone was used at the June 19 pumping party in San Diego, but that the Food and Drug Administration has offered to test a sample of the substance to determine its makeup. No timeline has been set on when the lab results will be available.

An autopsy of Patricio Gonzalez was performed on Tuesday, but those results may not be known for several weeks, Rooney said.

Private funeral services for Gonzales were planned for this week, and a public forum is being arranged at The Center to address the dangers of and alternatives to using unlicensed practitioners for beauty enhancement and medical treatment.

Contributions are being accepted to assist with Patricia Gonzalez’s burial services. Please send checks made payable to the Benjamin F. Dillingham Community Grant to P.O. Box 33915, San Diego, CA 92163.

Anyone who has received silicone injections is urged to seek medical advice. The Transgender Health Clinic at North Park Family Health Centers can be contacted at (619) 515-2449, or call The Center at (619) 692-2077.