Dominican Republic law enforcement and health officials have launched a formal investigation into a Santo Domingo clinic after a visiting American police officer died following cosmetic surgery.
Rebecca De Paula, a 31-year-old officer with the New York Police Department, had flown into Santo Domingo about a week before her death. She went to an island facility for an elective procedure to remove her breast implants.
Shortly after the surgery was completed, De Paula developed a severe bacterial infection. Her family reported that her physical state deteriorated rapidly over the next few days until she passed away on Sunday.
Her family in New York is now demanding a thorough investigation into the clinic and the medical staff involved. They want answers on whether medical malpractice or improper care directly caused the fatal infection.
Local news outlets in Santo Domingo, including Noticias SIN, reported that official agencies opened a probe right after her death. Authorities have not yet published a final cause of death while the inquiry moves forward.
De Paula’s remains are currently being kept at the Dominican Republic’s National Institute of Forensic Sciences. Forensic experts are running detailed examinations to pinpoint what went wrong before releasing her body for transport back to the United States.
De Paula was a respected member of the NYPD’s 46th Precinct in the Bronx, serving 18 months on the force and earning an officer of the month award in March. She was also a mother of three and a married wife.
Tributes continue to pour in from police groups, including the New York Dominican Officers Organization, while her family waits for forensic reports from Santo Domingo to bring her home for burial.
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