People online are still talking about it. Honestly, it’s one of those stories that just stops you in your tracks because it felt so sudden. If you’ve spent any time on the boo simms surgery reddit threads or followed the Los Angeles food scene, you know the name Rebecca Wylie Simms. Most people knew her simply as "Boo." She was the co-founder of Lady & Larder, that gorgeous cheese shop in Santa Monica that basically redefined what a charcuterie board should look like.
Then, in January 2025, the news broke. She was 39.
The internet, especially Reddit, went into a tailspin trying to figure out what happened. When a vibrant, successful woman passes away following a "tragic surgery complication," people naturally want answers. Was it elective? Was it a routine procedure gone wrong? The lack of specific medical details in the initial family statement led to a lot of speculation, some of it respectful and some of it… well, it’s Reddit.
The Reality of the Boo Simms Surgery Reddit Rumors
We have to be clear about one thing right away: the family has been very private about the type of surgery Boo underwent. That hasn’t stopped the "detectives" on r/LAinfluencersnark or various lifestyle subreddits from guessing.
Some users pointed toward a post Boo made just weeks before her death where she mentioned a goal to "trust the process" in 2025. People read into that. They looked for clues in her recent photos. Was she looking for a cosmetic refresh? Was it something internal?
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Here is what we actually know:
- The death occurred on Monday, January 20, 2025.
- Her twin sister, Sarah Simms Hendrix, confirmed the cause was a surgery complication.
- There was no prior public mention of a chronic illness.
When someone young and seemingly healthy dies under the knife, it triggers a specific kind of fear in the public. It reminds us that "routine" doesn't mean "risk-free." On Reddit, you’ll find threads where people discuss the dangers of anesthesia or the rare but terrifying possibility of a pulmonary embolism post-op. Without an official autopsy report released to the public, these remain theories.
Why the Los Angeles Community is Still Reeling
It wasn't just about the cheese. Boo was a "magic maker." That’s how Sarah described her, and if you saw her work, you’d get it. Lady & Larder wasn’t just a shop; it was an aesthetic movement. They worked with local farmers, used incredible honeycomb, and made food look like fine art.
Celebrities loved them. Busy Philipps, Mandy Moore, and Mark Duplass all posted tributes. When Mark Duplass wrote about her "radical optimism," it struck a chord. He mentioned that if Boo were here, she’d tell everyone to gather the people they love and share some beautiful food.
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That’s the part that hurts the community the most. It feels like a light was snuffed out over something that was supposed to be a medical fix or improvement.
The Medical Risks Nobody Likes to Talk About
Medical experts often weigh in on these types of viral stories to remind everyone that every surgery has a "failure rate." It sounds cold. But it's true.
Even in the best hospitals in Los Angeles, things can go sideways.
- Anesthesia reactions: Extremely rare but can be fatal.
- Infection: Sepsis can move faster than most people realize.
- Blood clots: These can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or brain.
- Cardiac arrest: The stress of surgery on the heart is real.
Navigating the Grief and the "Why"
It’s tempting to keep refreshing the boo simms surgery reddit pages hoping for a "leak" or a detailed explanation. But sometimes, there isn't a scandalous secret. Sometimes, a complication is just a horrific, random accident of biology.
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The Simms family has handled this with a lot of grace. They kept the Santa Monica location open because that’s where Boo "poured her love." They closed the Carmel Valley spot for a bit to breathe. It’s a reminder that behind every "influencer" headline is a family that lost a sister, a daughter, and a mother.
If you're looking for a takeaway, maybe it’s not about the surgery itself. Maybe it's about the "radical optimism" she practiced. In her final weeks, she was focused on being present.
Moving Forward and Staying Informed
If you are planning a surgery yourself and this story has you spooked, the best thing you can do is talk to your surgeon about specific complication rates. Don't settle for "it's routine." Ask about their protocol for blood clots. Ask about the anesthesiologist's experience.
For those following the Boo Simms story for the sake of her legacy, the best way to honor her is to support the small businesses she built. Lady & Larder continues to operate, carrying on that "magic maker" spirit.
Actionable Steps for Readers:
- Research Surgeons: Always use board-certified surgeons and check their history on state medical boards.
- Pre-Op Health: Ensure you are in the best possible physical shape before any elective procedure.
- Support the Legacy: Visit Lady & Larder in Santa Monica if you want to see the world Boo helped create.
- Respect Privacy: Remember that while public figures share their lives, their medical tragedies belong to their families.
The conversation on Reddit will likely continue, but the facts remain: a talented woman is gone, and her impact on the L.A. culinary world is permanent.