Family seeks probe after NYPD officer dies following surgery abroad

NYPD officer Rebecca DePaula, a 31-year-old mother of three, has passed away in the Dominican Republic following complications from cosmetic surgery. Her family is now calling for a probe into whether negligence or improper medical procedures were factors in her death, according to U.S. reports. DePaula served with the NYPD for only 18 months, working out of the 46th Precinct in the Bronx. Colleagues and the NYPD community are mourning her loss, remembering her as a dedicated officer and devoted family member.

DePaula traveled to the Dominican Republic to have her breast implants removed. Local reports state that she developed a bacterial infection after the surgery, and her condition deteriorated before she died at a clinic in Santo Domingo, as per PEOPLE. Her family has asked authorities to investigate whether proper safety protocols were followed and whether negligence contributed to her fatal outcome. The investigation is ongoing, and the clinic where the procedure took place has not been publicly identified.

DePaula's death has deeply affected the NYPD community, as she had only recently begun her career and was named the 46th Precinct's officer of the month in March. The New York Dominican Officers Organization paid tribute to her, calling her death a "tremendous loss" and asking for support for her family. New York City Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry also mourned the loss, calling DePaula's death a tragedy after she served only 18 months on the job.

The family's request for an investigation reflects concerns about medical tourism and cosmetic procedures abroad, as such procedures can carry added risks like infection and complications during recovery. Dominican authorities are still investigating the circumstances of DePaula's death, and her remains are expected to be transferred to the United States for burial after forensic review. The exact clinic and surgeon involved have not been confirmed at this time.