An LAPD detective who was investigating the rape allegations made against Derrick Rose was found dead on Tuesday from a single gunshot wound in a suburban L.A. home in the town of Whittier, California, according to the Los Angeles Times. The officer has been identified as 44-year-old Nadine Hernandez by the county coroner's office. Hernandez was one of two detectives assigned to look into Rose's case as she worked for the department's Robbery-Homicide Division Special Assault Section.
The discovery was made after Whittier police were called on Tuesday afternoon because of reports of an attempted suicide. It is currently unclear if Hernandez's death was a suicide or homicide. Police are currently investigating her death. Sources for law enforcement said that the home Hernandez was found dead in belonged to a relative, and the LA Times reports it was registered to a retired LAPD lieutenant.
Hernandez's role in investigating the Rose case was revealed just a few weeks ago after lawyers for Rose's accuser filed a motion in court asking that she be able to remain anonymous. That motion included a letter from Hernandez, who told the woman's lawyer that "the ability to offer anonymity to victims of a sex crime is an invaluable investigative aid to investigators as well as a great comfort to the victims of crimes of such a sensitive nature." You can read the rest of what she wrote below:
Police do not suspect a connection between Hernandez's death and Rose's rape trial at this time.
