The Cleveland Clinic, where her groundbreaking transplant was performed in 2008, announced that Connie died on Wednesday (US time) at the Ohio facility due to complications from an infection unrelated to her transplant.
Dr. Frank Papay, chairman of the clinic’s dermatology and plastic surgery institute and a member of her surgical team, described Connie as “a remarkably courageous, lively woman and a source of inspiration for many.”
“Her resilience was extraordinary — she lived longer than any face transplant patient before her,” he said. “She was a true trailblazer, and her willingness to undergo such a daunting procedure remains a lasting gift to humanity.”
Connie’s journey began tragically in 2004, when her husband shot her in the face in a failed murder–suicide attempt. He later served seven years in prison. The shotgun blast obliterated her nose, fractured her cheekbones, and robbed her of most of her vision.
Over the next several years, Connie underwent 30 reconstructive surgeries. Surgeons used parts of her ribs to rebuild her cheeks and shaped a new upper jaw from her leg bone. She also endured numerous skin grafts from her thighs. Despite all this, she still couldn’t eat solid foods, breathe without assistance, or smell.
Then, in December 2008, surgeon Maria Siemionow led a team in a 22-hour procedure to replace 80% of Connie’s face using tissue — including bone, muscle, nerves, skin, and blood vessels — from donor Anna Kasper. It was only the fourth face transplant ever performed worldwide, and by far one of the most extensive.
After the surgery, Connie’s expressions were somewhat stiff, and her speech could be difficult to understand, but she regained the ability to talk, smile, smell, and taste her food. By 2011, Dr. Siemionow noted that Connie had “a normal face,” with refinements made to excess skin and drooping areas left intentionally for medical access.
“She smiles, she’s radiant. When she jokes, her eyes sparkle. Her face is alive again,” the surgeon said at the time.
Connie went on to become an advocate for organ and tissue donation, appearing on television and sharing her story publicly. Two years after her transplant, she met the family of her donor. Connie said they were “wonderful people.”
Anna Kasper’s daughter, Becky, then 23, remarked that she could see hints of her mother in Connie — especially in the nose — even though their bone structures were different.
“I know she’s smiling down on this,” Becky said. “She would be proud.”
