LAPD Detective Who Handles High-Profile Sex Crimes Shot to Death
Whittier police investigate shooting death of the detective who was looking into Derrick Rose gang-rape allegations.
WHITTIER, CA -- A Los Angeles Police Department investigator who died from a gunshot wound to the chest in Whittier Tuesday was the Special Assault detective investigating the high-profile gang rape allegation against NBA MVP Derrick rose.
Whittier police have given mixed messages about whether they are investigating the death of 44-year-old Nadine Hernandez as a suicide. In a press release Wednesday morning, the department indicated that it is investigating Hernandez’s death as a suicide, but Whittier Police Lt. Jay Tatman later declined to say whether the case is considered a homicide or suicide.
The shooting is being classified as an "undetermined death," according to Tatman.
"(Investigators) are not taking any precautions to label one or the other," Tatman said. "They're looking at it thoroughly. The coroner's office investigation will help determine what the cause of death is."
However, in a statement on its website, Whittier Police said, “At this time there are no signs of foul play and this incident is being investigated as a suicide. However, this is an ongoing investigation and we will continue to collaborate with the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office as part of our investigation.”
Get free real-time news alerts from the North Hollywood-Toluca Lake Patch.
SUBSCRIBE
According to the Los Angeles Times, Hernandez was a detective in the Special Assault Section of the LAPD's elite Robbery-Homicide Division that handles high-profile sex crimes. Last month Hernandez submitted a letter in federal court confirming the department’s criminal investigation into the Rose gang-rape allegations.
Hernandez died Tuesday just as a judge considered declaring a mistrial in the civil lawsuit Rose’s accuser filed against him. The New York Knicks player, along with close friends Randall Hampton and Ryan Allen, were sued for what the 30-year-old plaintiff alleges was a pre- dawn gang rape at her downtown Los Angeles apartment while she was unconscious on Aug. 27, 2013. She is seeking at least $21.5 million in damages. Rose has denied the allegations, and his attorneys have said the woman was a willing partner in group sex with the three men.
Neighbors of a home in the 8400 block of Via Sierra Ramal called Whittier police at 2:45 p.m. after hearing a gunshot, according to Tatman. When police arrived, they found Hernandez suffering from a gunshot wound. She was rushed to a hospital but later died. A gun was found at the scene.
Posts
