NYPD officer Rebecca DePaula dies in the Dominican Republic after cosmetic surgery complications

Rebecca DePaula, a 31-year-old NYPD officer, wife, mother of three and pastor, died in the Dominican Republic after complications following cosmetic surgery. Her family is asking for an investigation into whether negligence or improper medical procedures played a role in her death.

According to reports from Dominican media cited by U.S. outlets, DePaula traveled to the Dominican Republic for a procedure to remove her breast implants. Local reporting says she developed a bacterial infection after the surgery, and her condition worsened before she died at a clinic in Santo Domingo, according to a report by PEOPLE.

Her family has reportedly asked authorities to look into whether proper safety protocols were followed and whether negligence contributed to the fatal outcome. The investigation is still ongoing, and officials have not publicly identified the clinic where the procedure took place.

DePaula had served with the NYPD for only about 18 months and worked out of the 46th Precinct in the Fordham section of the Bronx. Colleagues and the city’s Dominican officers’ community are mourning her loss, remembering her as a committed officer and a devoted family woman.

The New York Dominican Officers Organization posted a tribute calling her death a “tremendous loss.” In its message, the group said DePaula’s kindness, service and memory would not be forgotten and asked people to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers. New York City Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry also called the death a tragedy, saying the department had lost “our sister P.O. Rebecca DePaula” after only 18 months on the job.

The family’s request for an investigation reflects a wider concern about medical tourism and cosmetic procedures abroad. While many people travel overseas for lower-cost surgeries, such procedures can carry added risks, including infection and complications during recovery.

As of the latest reports, Dominican authorities are still investigating the circumstances of her death. Her remains are expected to be transferred to the United States for burial after forensic review is complete. The exact clinic and surgeon involved have not been publicly confirmed.

DePaula was more than an officer. Reports describe her as a pastor and a mother whose family life was central to her identity. For her coworkers and family, the tragedy is not only that she died young, but that she had only recently begun building a life and career in the NYPD.