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Dr. Frank Ryan, Celebrity Plastic Surgeon, Dies in Car Crash

by Maggie McGee

Earlier this week, the Hollywood cosmetic industry suffered a terrible loss – the death of renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan. Having been responsible for improving the appearance of countless stars including musician Vince Neil, actor Lorenzo Lamas, reality stars Lisa Gastineau and Adrianne Curry, Dr. Ryan was most well-known for his recent controversial work on The Hills’ Heidi Montag, who in one marathon session underwent 10 surgical procedures. Shortly after the accident, she responded to the tragedy via Twitter, "I am devastated to hear the news of Dr. Frank Ryan's death. He was the most amazing person I have ever known. He was an angel and changed my life and the lives of everyone he met. He was the most brilliant talented surgeon who will ever exist. Dr. Frank Ryan changed the world."

Friends, family, co-workers, and clientele are distraught, "I think about how many people were touched by [going to his] Bony Pony Ranch," said a woman involved in helping with the Dr. Ryan Foundation, which benefited the less fortunate. "Part of his legacy will be the people he never treated – the people who never came into Beverly Hills."

Born on May 21, 1960, Frank Ryan grew up to be an esteemed and highly experienced physician, board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After earning his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan, Ryan attended Ohio State’s College of Medicine and completed eight years of post-graduate surgical training at Cedars- Sinai Medical Center, the University of Missouri and UCLA Medical Center.

In 1994, Ryan started his private practice in Beverly Hills. The following year, he performed one of the first plastic surgery “makeovers” on television, on TLC's The Operation. In 1999, Ryan became the plastic surgeon for boxer Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions. In addition to the fame and glory his paid work has earned him, Dr. Ryan was also well known for his nonprofit foundation, The Bony Pony Ranch.

How Dr. Frank Ryan Died: The Official Report

According to The Ventura County Fire Department, at approximately 4:30 PM on Monday the station received a call that a vehicle had swerved off the side of the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu at Deer Creek Road. Multiple lifeguards traveling the opposite direction on PCH witnessed the crash and attempted to help Ryan. Ryan’s Jeep Wrangler had landed on the rocks causing the doctor major head injuries. The Ventura County Fire Department tried to airlift Ryan to a hospital by helicopter, but the effort was called off as Ryan was pronounced dead at the scene on August 16, 2010. Dr Frank Ryan was 50 years old.

Minutes before the crash, he Tweeted, "After 25 years of driving by, I finally hiked to the top of the giant sand dune on the pch west of Malibu. Much harder than it looks! Whew!" While sources cannot confirm, there is some speculation about whether the texting/tweeting had actually caused the accident in question. Law enforcement officials consider driving under the influence as another possible cause fo the accident; however, the results of the toxicology report will not be available for another 6-8 weeks. After completing an autopsy, The Ventura County Fire Department has determined a cause of death – Dr. Ryan died from the effects of blunt force trauma.

Dr. Frank Ryan's family, friends and staff gathered to organize a candlelight vigil for the Hollywood surgeon in Malibu. Friends and family chose that particular spot for the vigil because, "Dr. Ryan LOVED that area ... and it is close to his ranch." The event is open to anyone who knew him. While the direct cause of the accident is still under debate, one thing’s for sure – Hollywood has suffered a serious loss in true able medical practitioners.