The Derrick Rose sexual assault case just took a drastic turn in an event that may or may not be related to the Knicks point guard.
44-year-old Nadine Hernandez, one of the LAPD detectives investigating the case, was found dead by gunshot on Tuesday, according to the LA Times. Hernandez was reportedly often involved in “high-profile sex crime” cases.
The hospital and coroner’s department have not yet ruled whether the death was a homicide or suicide.
Hernandez was found to be involved in the Derrick Rose case due to a letter written to the judge asking for the accuser to remain anonymous.
Following from Richard Winton and Hailey Branson-Potts of the LA Times:
News of the LAPD’s investigation of Rose came to light as an attorney representing the woman in a civil case against Rose and other men made a last-ditch appeal to a judge to conceal her identity.
The woman’s attorney, Brandon Anand, filed a request, in light of the LAPD’s investigation, asking U.S. District Judge Michael Fitzgerald to reconsider a decision to have the woman identified during trial.
Anand included in his request a letter from Hernandez, whom he identified as the officer investigating the case. In it, Hernandez wrote that being able to offer anonymity to people who come forward to accuse others of rape is “an invaluable investigative aid to investigators.” She added that the LAPD would continue to guard the woman’s identity throughout its investigation.
Meanwhile, the Rose case is still ongoing, with the judge ruling that there has been no mistrial despite complaints from Rose’s team.
