Rebecca De Paula, a 31‑year‑old New York police officer, mother of three and pastor, died in the Dominican Republic after developing a bacterial infection following breast implant removal surgery, according to her relatives and local media. The NYPD officer, who served at the 46th Precinct in the Bronx and was recently recognised as Officer of the Month, travelled to Santo Domingo for the elective procedure and died at the clinic days later.
Her family are urging Dominican authorities to investigate the circumstances of the operation and subsequent care, saying they want clarity over how the infection was managed. The case has drawn attention to the risks associated with cosmetic surgery and medical tourism, with coverage in the United States and the Caribbean highlighting De Paula's roles as a police officer, mother and pastor.
