The inquest into the death of a mother-of-five who died after undergoing a Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is expected to take place later this year. Alice Webb, 33, passed away in September 2024 following the procedure at a salon in Gloucester.
A pre-inquest review at Gloucestershire Coroner's Court revealed that the man who performed the procedure, Jordan Parke, has since died. Ms Webb, from Wotton-under-Edge, became ill after the cosmetic treatment and was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where she later died.
Police launched a criminal investigation, arresting a man and a woman on suspicion of manslaughter. The woman was later released without charge, and the investigation continued until Mr Parke—known as the "British Lip King"—died in February this year. It is believed he may have been undergoing a cosmetic procedure prior to his death in Canary Wharf, London. Mr Parke had previously appeared on television shows, including ITV's This Morning, to discuss cosmetic surgery.
Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, stated that a full inquest would take place in the autumn and would last approximately three days. Laura Collignon, representing Ms Webb's family, argued that the inquest should be held before a jury because her death was workplace-related. "From speaking to the family and reviewing records, Alice was engaged in training because she undertook these procedures herself. She was not only having a procedure but being trained in one, which appears to be a workplace matter and a workplace fatality, requiring a jury," she said.
The coroner responded, "My initial view is that Alice was a self-employed practitioner being shown how to do a procedure at a friend's house. It could be argued either way, but I am content that it should be before a jury." Ms Skerrett confirmed the inquest would hear evidence from police, a pathologist, the salon owner Jemma Pawlyszyn, and another individual present before Ms Webb fell ill.
Miss Collignon noted, "There were other people present, and Jordan Parke has died. Two women were there: Jemma Pawlyszyn, at whose premises it occurred, and another woman who was also undergoing training. The police have her identity. Since Mr Parke is deceased and no criminal investigation is ongoing, that file should be available. That person attended earlier, had the procedure videoed, and left before Ms Webb became unwell. It is relevant because Mr Parke then performed the same procedure on Alice."
Following Ms Webb's death, campaigners have called for regulation of the beauty industry and a ban on certain cosmetic procedures. The Government has proposed measures to ensure BBLs and other high-risk procedures are only performed by specified health workers. Ms Webb's former partner, Ben Kingscote, urged the Government to act, saying, "They are talking and warning people, but not doing anything. They need to get it banned before someone else dies."
After Mr Parke's death, Gloucestershire Police stated, "A woman was told she faced no further action, and a man remained on bail while enquiries continued. We have been informed that the man on bail died recently, so the criminal investigation will close as no charges can be brought. Police enquiries will continue on behalf of the coroner, and an inquest will take place to establish what happened."
