A former Kansas police detective, Roger Golubski, who was set to stand trial on charges of kidnapping and raping two women decades ago, was found dead in his home on Monday morning. The 71-year-old was discovered after failing to appear for jury selection in his trial in Topeka. Sources indicate that Golubski died by suicide, with his attorney citing his client's despondency over recent press coverage of the case.
Golubski, a retired detective from Kansas City, Kansas, was accused of using his position to sexually assault vulnerable Black women over many years. Prosecutors alleged that he targeted victims he believed would not be believed if they came forward. Golubski denied the allegations, with his defense team suggesting that his accusers were fabricating their claims or repeating old, unproven rumors.
The allegations against Golubski emerged during a civil case where he was accused of framing a teenager for a double murder in 1994. The man, Lamonte McIntyre, spent over 23 years in prison before being released in 2017. The case was settled in 2022, with county officials agreeing to pay $12.5 million to the McIntyres, though no wrongdoing was admitted by Golubski or his former department.
The case garnered significant attention, leading to a new state law on police sexual misconduct and earning a Pulitzer Prize for a local newspaper columnist. Jay-Z's nonprofit, Team Roc, even took out a full-page ad characterizing the situation as a severe abuse of power.
Despite a lengthy FBI investigation, prosecutors admitted to having limited evidence beyond the word of Golubski's alleged victims. They acknowledged that the credibility of the accusers would be crucial in the case against him.
Following Golubski's death, federal prosecutors expressed regret that the case could not proceed to trial fully. They emphasized the lasting impact on all involved and wished for peace and healing for the individuals and families affected by the developments.
