A 47-year-old British woman died after undergoing cosmetic surgery in Turkey, prompting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Caroline Baker, from Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, had traveled to Antalya in July 2025 for a tummy tuck and breast augmentation procedure. Following the surgery, she reportedly began to experience difficulty breathing before her heart stopped.

Turkish authorities attributed her death to a heart attack. However, a post-mortem examination conducted in the United Kingdom revealed signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but found no evidence to support the claim of a heart attack. The findings raised uncertainties about the exact cause of death.

At a hearing in Winchester coroner’s court, senior coroner Christopher Wilkinson delivered an open verdict, indicating that the cause of death could not be conclusively established. He suggested it was possible that Baker’s death resulted from natural causes that may have been worsened by the impact of the surgery. The coroner also highlighted challenges faced due to insufficient information provided by authorities and medical professionals in Turkey.

The case underscores the complexities involved when patients seek medical procedures abroad, particularly in the cosmetic surgery industry, where post-operative risks and follow-up care can be difficult to monitor or verify. It also points to the difficulties in cross-border investigations where medical records and details may not be fully accessible.

Caroline Baker’s family has not publicly commented on the case. The investigation and coroner’s findings have brought attention to the broader issue of medical tourism and the potential risks associated with it.