27-Year-Old Woman Dies After NAD+ Infusion at Bronx Wellness Center, Owner Arrested
Elizabeth Baron, a 27-year-old woman from New York City, died after collapsing during a treatment at the Bereshit Lifestyle Center, a wellness and holistic medicine facility in the Bronx. The incident occurred around noon last Sunday when Baron received an NAD+ infusion, a treatment marketed for boosting energy, mental clarity, and anti-aging benefits. Shortly after the infusion, she suffered cardiac arrest and was rushed unconscious to NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at approximately 1:10 p.m.
The center's founder, 55-year-old Luis Rojas Cabrera from Passaic, New Jersey, was arrested hours later and charged with reckless endangerment and unauthorized medical practice. Police sources indicated Cabrera admitted to administering the injection. During a Bronx criminal court hearing, prosecutors confirmed the treatment involved NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a naturally occurring coenzyme involved in energy production. However, the exact composition, concentration, and direct cause of Baron’s cardiac arrest remain under investigation. The New York medical examiner's office is conducting an autopsy and toxicology tests to determine the official cause of death and the substances administered, which could lead to expanded charges.
Baron lived less than three kilometers from the center and worked in northern Manhattan. Acquaintances described her as healthy, kind, and active, with no unusual focus on appearance or anti-aging efforts. Her family declined interviews, requesting privacy during their mourning. Records show Cabrera holds a medical license in the Dominican Republic but not in New York State, where administering NAD+ infusions requires a licensed medical professional. Prosecutors noted Cabrera lacked authority to perform the treatment.
Cabrera presented himself on the center’s website as a doctor, surgeon, and naturopath with training in various countries, including Israel, and claimed to have performed over 6,000 surgeries. These claims have not been independently verified. The wellness center offered various natural medicine services but remained closed following Baron’s death and did not respond to media inquiries.
Prosecutors also revealed Cabrera had two prior arrests at Newark Airport in November 2025 related to possession of prescription drugs and medical supplies. These past incidents are not directly connected to the current charges. Cabrera’s son defended him emotionally in court, calling him a good doctor and father. Judge Craig Ortner released Cabrera without bail but required him to surrender his passport within 48 hours. The next court hearing is scheduled for September 9. Experts recommend verifying medical licenses and treatment risks before undergoing invasive procedures, especially those involving unregulated substances like NAD+ infusions.
