NYPD officer's body to be returned to US after Dominican cosmetic surgery death

The remains of Rebecca DePaula, a New York Police Department officer and pastor, will be transported to the United States for burial following her death after a cosmetic surgery procedure in the Dominican Republic. DePaula, 31, died Sunday morning from complications after undergoing a breast implant removal surgery, according to her family.

Her body was taken to the National Institute of Forensic Pathology (Inacif) for standard procedures before being sent to New York, where her husband and three children await her return. Dominican authorities are awaiting the results of forensic analyses to proceed with their investigation.

“

Oportunamente, when this is completed, we will be able to offer more details.

National Police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira stated that investigators are awaiting the autopsy and necropsy from Inacif. "Opportunely, when this is completed, we will be able to offer more details," he said, declining to comment on medical aspects and emphasizing the need to wait for the institute's conclusions.

“

We have knowledge of some details, but we are not health professionals to give those details. We understand that medical aspects must be handled by experts in the field, and we will await the results of the autopsy and necropsy that Inacif will issue so that we can provide that report to the media.

DePaula, originally from Santiago de los Caballeros, had arrived in the Dominican Republic about a week prior for the procedure. Family members informed SIN Noticias that she had reportedly contracted a bacteria, leading to severe diarrhea that complicated her health. Her family in the Dominican Republic has urged authorities to investigate the circumstances, including potential medical malpractice or negligence during the procedure, which took place at a cosmetic surgery center in the National District.

This incident is at least the fourth death of a woman in the Dominican Republic within the last five months following cosmetic procedures.

“

We thank His Excellency for the confidence reposed in us. We will not betray this trust. We are committed to teamwork, dedication and service delivery in line with the vision of a better Jigawa.