A 31-year-old NYPD officer and married mother of three died in the Dominican Republic after suffering complications from recent cosmetic surgery, according to local news reports and officials in New York.
Rebecca De Paula, who was off duty, had worked out of the 46th Precinct, in the Fordham section of the Bronx.
She joined the force only 18 months ago, in January 2025, and this past March earned commendation as the precinct’s “officer of the month,” according to the Daily News.
New York City PBA President Patrick Hendry says she had only been on the job for 18 months.
“Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our sister P.O. Rebecca DePaula, who passed away while off duty after only 18 months on the job,” New York City PBA President Patrick Hendry said in a statement. “We ask all New Yorkers to keep her family, friends, and coworkers in your prayers during this difficult time.”
Relatives told local outlet Noticias Sin they want an investigation into whether proper safety and procedure protocols were followed during De Paula’s surgery.
Her mother told the outlet she was initially informed her daughter was in serious condition. By the time she got there, De Paula was dead. De Paula was a pastor in addition to being a mom and a cop, Noticias Sin reported.
The New York Dominican Officers Organization mourned her death on social media, calling the death of De Paula “a tremendous loss.”
The investigation is ongoing.
A growing number of Americans have traveled overseas in recent years for procedures that cost less than they do at home. Those surgeries come with a heightened risk of complications, the CDC says.
Noticias Sin reports several patient deaths in recent months have triggered investigations and the closure of health facilities, while raising questions about oversight of the facilities and those performing procedures.
The name of the clinic where De Paula was treated wasn’t clear. The Daily News says it confirmed Noticias Sin’s report of the procedure.
