Police Say LA Detective's Shooting Death Inside Whittier Home Is Suicide
WHITTIER (CBSLA.com) — Whittier police said Wednesday they were investigating the death of a Los Angeles police detective at a Whittier home as a suicide.
Nadine Hernandez, 44, was found dead around 2:45 p.m. Tuesday in a home in the 8400 block of Via Sierra Ramal, according to Whittier police Officer John Scoggins.
Detectives said it appeared Hernandez died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. A loaded gun was found near her body.
There are no signs of foul play, police said. "Detectives did find information that would lead them to believe that this was a suicide and not a homicide," said Whittier police Officer Hugo Figueroa.
Police said a relative was in the home at the time of the shooting and called 911, but there's no evidence the person was involved in Hernandez's death.
According to real estate records, the home where Hernandez was found is currently for sale and belongs to retired L.A. police lieutenant, Robert Fox, who is also Hernandez's father-in-law.
Hernandez's husband is also an L.A. police officer assigned to the Metro Division.
An LAPD statement said: "We are heartbroken about the tragic death of Detective Nadine Hernandez...It is a loss that touches us all in the LAPD family."
Records show Hernandez worked on several high-profile cases, including the rape case filed against NBA star Derrick Rose and two of his friends.
Last month, Hernandez wrote a letter to the accuser's attorney confirming that the department is looking into sexual abuse allegations in connection with the rape complaint against Rose.
An LAPD spokesman has confirmed there is no evidence that Hernandez's death is related to her involvement in the case.