True Crime All The Time - Libby Adame

Episode 473 – February 19, 2026
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Gibson

Episode Overview

This episode of True Crime All The Time dives into the disturbing true crime case of Libby Adame—also known as "Latia" or "The Butt Lady"—and her daughter Alyssa Galaz, a mother-daughter duo who spent over a decade offering illegal, black-market silicone butt injections in Los Angeles. Their budget procedures, heavily marketed via social media, resulted in dozens of disfigured women and at least three deaths. The hosts unpack the psychology behind the clientele, the dangers of unlicensed cosmetic surgery, the court trials, and the tragic fallout of a case emblematic of the social media age.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Lure of Social Media and Cheap Procedures

• Libby Adame and her daughter gained followers by offering "discount" butt enhancements ($3,000–$4,000 rather than $10,000–$15,000) advertised on Instagram.
• Hosts reflect on how social media has altered aspirations, with many young people prioritizing internet fame or appearance over traditional success paths.
• Quote [04:16] (Mike Gibson): “It’s all driven by image—it’s driven by image.”

2. Victims and the Deadly Procedures

• Their clients, mostly women, sought the "in look" made famous by celebrities (e.g., Kim Kardashian), often seeking validation and career advancement in industries like adult entertainment or influencing.
• Carissa Nicole Rajpaul, a 26-year-old influencer from South Africa, was among those who died after receiving illegal silicone injections at a private home.
• Quote [05:13] (Mike Ferguson): “I’m a little worried about finding your place to go based on an Instagram post.”

3. The Medical Dangers and FDA Warnings

• The hosts describe illegal, home-improvement grade silicone being injected into patients’ bodies—highly toxic and not medical-grade.
• They discuss FDA warnings (since 2017) against such procedures, noting severe risks: scarring, embolisms, tissue death, and death.
• Quote [12:13] (Mike Ferguson): “Carissa suffered acute cardiopulmonary dysfunction on the makeshift operating table that was set up in the house…Adame and Galaz called 911, but then they fled.”

4. Law Enforcement Response and Legal Outcomes

• It took LA police two years to connect Adame and Galaz to Carissa’s death, with over 50 victims coming forward following their arrest.
• The hosts debate the psychology and greed behind continuing the procedures despite mounting risks and deaths.
• Quote [15:38] (Mike Ferguson): “But you’re rolling the dice with another person’s life.”

5. The Trials and Sentencing

• In 2024, Adame and Galaz were convicted of involuntary manslaughter (not murder), drawing three years and eight months sentences—much of which was credited to electronic monitoring.
• The hosts are sharply critical of the light sentences, questioning if justice was served and whether such leniency emboldened further crimes.
• Quote [27:14] (Mike Ferguson): "They're convicted, but because you spent this much time at home wearing the ankle monitor, we're going to set you free."

6. Continued Crimes and Final Tragedy

• Despite warnings, Adame resumed her illegal practice after release. In 2025, she caused the death of actress Cindiana Santangelo, who died of a silicone embolism after a home injection.
• Adame again fled the scene, repeating her pattern of prioritizing self-preservation over her victims' welfare.
• Quote [34:02] (Mike Ferguson): “Adame left and took her bag with her. Cindiana was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.”

7. The Final Trial, Conviction, and Lasting Impact

• In 2025, Adame was tried and convicted of second-degree murder and practicing medicine without a license, receiving 15 years to life in prison.
• Victim impact statements (notably from Santangelo's son) emphasized the pain of preventable loss and the system’s prior failure to stop Adame.
• Quote [41:03] (Dante Santangelo, via court statement): "I don't think someone who has no regard for human life...should be allowed back on the street. Because clearly, this is something that's happened multiple times."

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On cheap procedures and risk:
  [13:47] Mike Gibson: “You get what you pay for.”
• On the long history of practicing without a license:
  [20:48] Mike Ferguson: “They performed this procedure for about a decade. And like I said earlier, they built a following on social media.”
• On victim responsibility and due diligence:
  [44:41] Mike Ferguson: “I think for some people who are thinking about it, [doing your research] would be a good piece of advice...to make sure that whoever you're going to is licensed.”
• On the root cause:
  [45:20] Mike Ferguson: "And I think when you boil it down...it's just pure greed."

Memorable Timestamps

• 02:24 — Introduction of Libby Adame as "Latia" and the "butt lady"
• 03:25 — Discussion of deaths and disfigurements resulting from illegal injections
• 11:05 — Details on use of hardware store silicone, not medical-grade
• 12:31 — Overview of FDA warnings and dangers of injectable silicone
• 15:29 — Side effects, risks, and complications per FDA
• 16:53 — More than 50 women report botched procedures after arrests
• 19:12 — Comparison of costs: board-certified vs. Adame's “discount” rates
• 26:27 — Adame and Galaz found guilty of involuntary manslaughter (2024)
• 29:39 — Adame causes the death of a third woman (Santangelo) after early release
• 34:02 — Adame flees after Santangelo’s medical crisis
• 40:47 — Adame convicted of second-degree murder (2025)
• 41:03 — Impact statement underscores the devastation to victims' families

Tone of the Episode

Throughout, the hosts balance characteristic humor and banter with a serious, incisive take on true crime. They express deep sympathy for victims, frustration at the criminal justice system’s inadequacy in deterring repeat offenders, and concern over the culture of social media-driven appearance standards. The conversational tone remains approachable while never trivializing the tragedy at hand.

Summary Takeaways

• Unlicensed cosmetic surgery, marketed online at discount rates, can result in irreversible harm or death.
• Social media can lend false credibility to dangerous practitioners.
• Gaps in the justice system can enable repeat tragedies if sentences are too lenient.
• Due diligence and medical regulation are vital to consumer safety.
• The case of Libby Adame stands as a cautionary tale about greed, unregulated cosmetic procedures, and the deadly side effects of our image-obsessed culture.