Rebecca De Paula, a 31-year-old New York City Police Department officer and married mother of three, has passed away following medical complications in the Dominican Republic.
She had traveled to San Domingo while off duty to undergo a cosmetic procedure to remove her breast implants.
Fatal complication after surgery
Reports state that De Paula suffered severe health issues shortly after her operation. Officials confirmed she died “after suffering complications from recent cosmetic surgery” after developing a severe bacterial infection.
Local police and health authorities in Santo Domingo have opened an investigation into the aesthetic clinic where the procedure took place.
Dedicated service to the Bronx
De Paula was a fairly new officer on the force having joined the NYPD 18 months ago. She was assigned to the 46th Precinct which serves the Fordham neighborhood in the Bronx.
Fellow officers and community members are mourning the sudden loss of the dedicated young mother.
Family demands answers and repatriation
Her grieving family is awaiting forensic autopsy results from Dominican authorities to confirm whether there was “medical negligence or irregularities” during her care.
In the meantime, loved ones are coordinating with officials to arrange for her body to be brought back home to the United States.
