A routine visit to a Texas medspa turned deadly in July 2023, and nearly three years later, the spa’s owner and its medical director are facing murder charges in connection with the patient’s death. Amber Johnson, who ran Luxe Medspa in Wortham, Texas, and Dr. Michael Patrick Gallagher, the spa’s medical director, were both arrested in late April 2026 over the death of Jenifer Cleveland, who collapsed minutes after receiving an “IV cocktail” at Johnson’s business.
The case has shaken the cosmetic and wellness industry in Texas, prompting new legislation and raising fresh questions about who is legally allowed to administer intravenous treatments at non-traditional healthcare facilities.
Here is everything to know about the case so far.
Amber Johnson Charged With Murder Over Luxe Medspa IV Death
Johnson turned herself in and was booked at the Freestone County Jail on April 28, 2026. The medspa owner has been charged with felony murder, criminally negligent homicide, manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence, practicing medicine without a license and nine counts of delivery of a dangerous drug.
After her booking, Johnson posted a $69,000 bond and was released the same day.
It is not currently clear whether Johnson has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following her arrest. Her former attorney, David E. Moore, confirmed to Us Weekly that he has not represented Johnson in two years.
Michael Gallagher Charged With Murder as Medspa’s Medical Director
One day after Johnson surrendered, Gallagher — who served as the medical director for Luxe Medspa — was arrested. The warrant for Gallagher’s arrest was executed on April 29, 2026, and he was booked into the Freestone County Jail that same day. Gallagher was given a bond of $96,500.
Gallagher has been charged with a single count of murder, manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, as well as multiple counts alleging that he delivered the drug that killed Cleveland.
As with Johnson, it is not currently clear whether Gallagher has entered a plea or retained legal counsel.
Both Johnson and Gallagher remain free on bond as their cases move forward in Freestone County.
How Jenifer Cleveland Died at Luxe Medspa in July 2023
Cleveland’s death unfolded over the course of less than one hour on July 10, 2023. According to Johnson’s former attorney, the IV infusion began at around 11:04 a.m. that morning. Just 27 minutes later, Cleveland lost consciousness, collapsed and had no pulse, per KWTX. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead after suffering cardiac arrest.
Investigators say Cleveland overdosed on potassium chloride after Johnson allegedly administered 1,000 mL of an “IV cocktail” that included total parenteral nutrition (TPN) electrolytes. TPN electrolytes are typically administered through intravenous feeding to provide patients with necessary nutrients, according to Ameri Pharma. However, the electrolytes are required to have a slow infusion rate of 83 to 125 mL per hour over a 24-hour period in order to avoid serious adverse effects.
When TPN electrolytes are not properly administered or monitored, an unsafe amount of potassium can enter the body, which may cause cardiac arrhythmia, kidney dysfunction, muscle weakness or spasms, metabolic disturbances and even death.
Texas Medical Board’s Findings on Jenifer Cleveland’s Death
Cleveland’s death prompted a months-long investigation by the Texas Medical Board, which ultimately determined that she suffered cardiac arrest “due to the improper administration” of the IV therapy. The board’s findings were detailed in its August 2024 order to suspend Gallagher’s license. Gallagher was identified as Johnson’s medical supervisor at the time of the incident.
The medical board also claimed that Gallagher failed to properly supervise an unlicensed individual while she performed intravenous treatments. According to KWTX, the board stated that it believed Gallagher presented “a continuing threat to the public welfare.”
The report further alleged that Luxe Medspa lacked protocols for IV therapy and claimed that Gallagher was more than 100 miles away from the spa at the time IV therapy was being administered to patients. The board’s order to suspend his license came more than a year after Cleveland’s death and several months before either Johnson or Gallagher was criminally charged.
The indictment also claimed that Johnson lacked medical licensure but still operated Luxe Medspa in the spring of 2023, despite Texas state laws that prohibit non-physicians from being the majority owner of medical practices.
Brian Cleveland’s Lawsuit and ‘Jenifer’s Law’ in Texas
In the wake of his wife’s death, Brian Cleveland filed a civil lawsuit against Luxe Medspa, according to KCEN. The lawsuit is still pending.
Brian also took on a public role in pushing for change to how nontraditional healthcare facilities operate in Texas. He worked alongside Rep. Angelia Orr and Dr. Kelly Green to get “Jenifer’s Law” passed in Texas in June 2025. The legislation, named in honor of his late wife, enforces comprehensive regulations for nontraditional healthcare facilities that administer elective IV therapy.
The law is intended to address the gaps in oversight that authorities say allowed Johnson to administer a high-volume IV infusion that ended in a patient’s death. It represents one of the most significant policy changes to come out of the case so far.
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists.
