Death of LAPD detective who worked on Derrick Rose case investigated as suicide

WHITTIER, Calif. -- The death of a Los Angeles police detective found shot at a suburban home was being investigated as a suicide, authorities said Wednesday.

There were no signs of foul play in the death of Nadine Hernandez, police in the Los Angeles County city of Whittier said.

The 44-year-old Whittier resident was found Tuesday with a gunshot wound to the chest. She died at a hospital.

A handgun was recovered at the scene, police said in a statement.

Hernandez was a detective in the Robbery-Homicide Division Special Assault Section, according to LAPD Officer Liliana Preciado. She was frequently assigned to high-profile cases including an investigation into an accusation of rape against NBA star Derrick Rose, Preciado said.

Hernandez last month wrote a letter cited in federal court in Los Angeles confirming that the department was looking into sexual abuse allegations in connection with a rape complaint against Rose. Rose is being sued in the matter and denies any wrongdoing.

The LAPD released the following statement on Hernadez' death: "We are heartbroken about the tragic death of Detective Nadine Hernandez, a 19-year veteran of the department. It is a loss that touches us all in the LAPD family.

Detective Hernandez was among several detectives working on the Derrick Rose case at the time of her death. At this point there is no indication that her case work had any connection to her death. The Rose investigation will continue unimpeded.

The Whittier Police Department held a news conference regarding the death of Detective Hernandez and have stated that their investigation is being handled as a suicide.

Out of respect to her family, friends, and colleagues, who are now learning of this terrible tragedy, we will not be releasing any new information and we will continue to defer to the Whittier police department."

WLS-TV contributed to this report.