The mother of a former NYPD officer of the month has claimed that doctors at a clinic in the Dominican Republic did not disclose her daughter's death to her immediately after a botched implant removal operation. Rebecca De Paula, 31, died on Sunday from what is reportedly a bacterial infection at a Santo Domingo clinic, a week after arriving on the island for the procedure, according to Dominican outlet El Dia.
De Paula's family is seeking a malpractice investigation, with her mother stating that health officials were not transparent upon her arrival at the clinic. "They didn’t tell me, ‘She’s dead,'" the mother told local television in Spanish. "They told me she was in a serious condition. My brother rushed me there, I went upstairs and I saw the empty bed. Something was wrong, I thought. I said ‘Where is my daughter?’ And my son told me, ‘Mommy, she’s with God.’ That was the only thing he said to me."
Dominican authorities have not officially confirmed De Paula's cause of death as their investigation is ongoing. Her remains are expected to be flown back to the U.S.
De Paula, who also served as a pastor, joined the NYPD in January 2025 and was assigned to the 46th Precinct in the Bronx. In March, she was recognized as officer of the month for her dedication and outstanding police work. David Marmol, a former NYPD instructor who trained De Paula, described her as one of his best recruits and a "beautiful soul."
Patrick Hendry, president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association, stated, "Our hearts are heavy with the loss of our sister P.O. Rebecca De Paula, who passed away while off duty after only 18 months on the job. We ask all New Yorkers to keep her family, friends and coworkers in your prayers during this difficult time."
American tourists often travel to the Dominican Republic for cosmetic surgery due to lower costs and shorter wait times, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between 2009 and 2022, 93 U.S. citizens died after undergoing cosmetic surgery on the island, with an average of 4.1 deaths per year. In 2020 alone, 17 deaths were reported. Investigators have linked the majority of these deaths to fat or venous thromboembolism. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons lists bleeding, deep vein thrombosis, cardiac complications, and infection as risks associated with implant removal surgery.