The family of a Gold Coast woman who died while undergoing cosmetic surgery in Mexico has raised more than $17,000 in less than 24 hours to help fund their trip overseas to bring the 29-year-old’s body home.

Eva Sarmonikas went into cardiac arrest and died on Friday while undergoing surgery at a hospital in the town of Mexicali, on the border with the United States, according to a Facebook statement from her family.

Ms Sarmonikas’ cousin Nick Tsagalias is reported in the Gold Coast Bulletin as having said she was undergoing surgery to have buttock implants.

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On Tuesday afternoon the family began an online fundraising campaign to help bring her body back to Australia after an independent autopsy was carried out.

So far more than 150 people have donated almost $17,700 to the family.

Eva Sarmonikas died undergoing a medical procedure in Mexicali. Photo: Facebook

A target of $30,000 has been set.

“The funds will be used for travel expenses, accommodation in Mexico and any professional and legal advice that we may need in order to bring Evita home,” a family statement said.

“Evita as we knew her on Earth would be devastated at the amount of attention she is receiving at the moment, as she was extremely private and worked very hard to never be a burden on anybody.

“However, the abundance of love that we all hold for her is propelling the action that needs to be taken before she be laid to rest, and she deserves that.”

Over the past few days the family has been inundated with offers of support from around the world.

It has continued on the fundraising website, where friends, family and strangers are making donations and leaving tributes.

“I’m was lucky enough to know this one-in-a-million lady. I’m know it’s not much but it hope it helps to bring the beautiful Eva home,” Tanya Compton said.

Carmelo Zappone, who said Eva worked for him at a Labrador restaurant, said she was always smiling.

“The world has lost an angel on Earth, our deepest condolences,” he said.

Heather McCabe said: “Your kind heart had the ability to light up every room you walked into. I am honoured to have known you and will cherish the chats we had for ever.”

In another statement issued on Facebook, Ms Sarmonikas was described as a “vivacious, vibrant young woman who was adored by her family, boyfriend, friends and her community.”

Her former boyfriend David Burkett said: “Everybody really just wants the truth and to find out what actually happened and the circumstances surrounding her death.”

The Sarmonikas family has also asked the media to respect their privacy.

Mexican authorities have announced an investigation into Ms Sarmonikas’ death, local media reported.

The news report said Mexicali deputy attorney-general Fernando Ramirez Amador was carrying out the investigation to confirm or reject whether there was negligence involved.

It said the incident occurred on March 20 in the Surgical Centre of Valle, a place where Ms Sarmonikas went to have an aesthetic liposuction surgery.

Mr Amador said authorities were waiting to see if the autopsy certificate from the local forensic agency agreed with the preliminary assessment that her death was caused by a pulmonary edema and pulmonary embolism.

– ABC