Nadine Hernandez, an investigator in the Derrick Rose sexual assault trial, was found dead in a Whittier, CA home on Tuesday afternoon with a gunshot wound. Although a lot of people are speculating foul play (because overreacting is what the public likes to do) though this looks like it’s likely a suicide, which is equally sad. The one thing we can guarantee is that this will make an already high-profile case even more publicized.
The home where Hernandez was found, located on the 8400 block of Via Sierra Ramal, belongs to a retired LAPD lieutenant. It’s unknown if Hernandez actually lived there.
What Happened?
Here’s the report from the Los Angeles Times:
Los Angeles Police Department detective who was investigating rape allegations against NBA star Derrick Rose died after being found with a gunshot wound in a Whittier home Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s department on Wednesday identified her as 44-year-old Nadine Hernandez.
Whittier police received a call at 2:45 P.M. Tuesday reporting an attempted suicide in the 8400 block of Via Sierra Ramal, Whittier Lt. Steve Dean said.
Hernandez was taken to PIH Health Hospital in Whittier, where she died at 3:27 P.M., according to Dean and the coroner’s department.
Who Was Nadine Hernandez?
Nadine was a detective in the department’s Robbery-Homicide Division Special Assault Section. Nadine tackled a lot of the high-profile sexual assault cases in her time at the LAPD, and was known as someone who was very important in the world of helping victims.
https://twitter.com/JulieDiCaro/status/786236803661430785
Most recently she was involved in the investigation of rape allegations against Derrick Rose. She was the detective who sent a letter to Jane Doe’s lawyer confirming that a criminal investigation was still ongoing. Furthermore, Hernandez was one of the people who was verbal about helping to keep Jane Doe’s name anonymous throughout the trial. “The ability to offer anonymity to victims of sex crimes is an invaluable investigative aid to investigators as well as a great comfort to victims of crimes of such a sensitive nature,” Hernandez wrote.
Our thoughts go out to Hernandez’s friends and family. It’s unlikely that her death will cause any disruption in the Derrick Rose vs. Jane Doe civil lawsuit, which is still ongoing.
