Heidi Montag's Plastic Surgeon Dies While Texting

Dr. Frank Ryan was sending a message about his day hiking around the dunes of Malibu with his dog.

Paul McDougall, Editor At Large, InformationWeek

August 18, 2010

1 Min Read
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Plastic surgeon-to-the-stars Frank Ryan was killed Monday when his jeep rolled over an embankment off Malibu's Pacific Coast Highway outside of Los Angeles. Authorities believe Ryan was distracted by text messaging at the time of the accident.

Ryan, 50, was known for performing extreme plastic surgery on Hollywood celebrities, including "The Hills" star Heidi Montag. Ryan reportedly performed ten procedures on Montag in one day, including work on her ears, chin, nose, and breasts.

Ryan's roster of celebrity clients also included Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil, heartthrob actor Lorenzo Lamas, reality TV's Lisa Gastineau, and boxer Oscar De La Hoya.

Montag used microblogging site Twitter to express her shock over Ryan's death. "I am devastated," she wrote.

"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," Montag said.

Reports indicate Ryan had just finished a hike around the Malibu dunes before the accident and was sending a text about his day when his vehicle left the road.

"After 25 years of driving by, I finally hiked to the top of the giant sand dune on PCH west of Malibu. Much harder than it looks. Whew!" Ryan wrote. His dog, which survived the accident, was also on the hike. "Border collie Jill surveying the view from atop the sand dune," said Ryan's text.

Texting while driving is illegal in California. Research shows texting while operating a motor vehicle can be as dangerous as drinking and driving.

About the Author

Paul McDougall

Editor At Large, InformationWeek

Paul McDougall is a former editor for InformationWeek.

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