A woman who flew from China to have illegal (and ultimately fatal) breast augmentation surgery blames herself and says she was unfamiliar with “Australian customs”.
Jean Huang, 35, died after the September 2017 procedure in which hyaluronic acid was injected into her breasts as a filler.
Paramedics responded to the scene after a triple-zero call and were able to restart Ms Huang’s heart. But at the hospital she was declared brain dead and life support was disconnected from her.
Jean Huang, 35, died after a September 2017 procedure in which hyaluronic acid was injected into her breasts as a filler.
Jie Shao was convicted of manslaughter in March after a Sydney jury found she had participated in the illegal act of injecting Ms Huang with a dangerous dose of anesthetic.
Shao had flown from China to Australia about a day before the surgery and now faces the prospect of a long jail sentence.
Reading sections of a psychological report during a sentencing hearing at Downing Center District Court on Friday, Shao’s lawyer, Winston Terracini SC, quoted her as saying: “I blame myself.”
“His passing will stay with me throughout my life,” Terracini quoted his client as saying.
‘Maybe it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t come to Australia.
‘I am not familiar with Australian customs and should not have agreed. “I really regret coming to Australia.”
Jie Shao was convicted of manslaughter in March after a Sydney jury found she had participated in the illegal act of injecting Ms Huang with a dangerous dose of anesthetic.
Statements from Ms. Huang’s husband and mother read in court spoke of their immense pain.
“Jean was not just my daughter, she was the light of our family: smart, beautiful, kind, generous and fun,” her mother said.
‘When I got to the hospital, the doctor told me he was dying. My memories are haunted by this moment.
“I lost my precious daughter without any preparation and never had the chance to say goodbye.”
Ms. Huang’s husband said the pain of losing his wife feels like it happened yesterday.
“Every night, the silence of the darkness outside prevents me from falling asleep,” his statement read.
‘I can’t help but think about everything related to my wife and me at any time.
“There was no winner between the two sides, but this does not mean that Jie Shao could escape the law.”
The sentencing date has been set for July 4.
