Roger Golubski, the former Kansas police detective accused of sexually assaulting Black women and harassing those who attempted to turn down his advances, committed suicide on Monday.
Per The Associated Press, Golubski died before the commencement of his high-profile criminal trial. Golubski, who is White, was found with a gunshot wound in his home. Authorities responded to the scene after a gunshot was heard by the deceased 71-year-old’s neighbor.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said “there are no indications of foul play.” Golubski had been charged with six felony counts of violating women’s civil rights. He entered a not-guilty plea.
According to prosecutors, Golubski targeted women living in impoverished areas. Authorities said he forcefully asked his victims for sexual favors and occasionally threatened to hurt or put their relatives in jail if they rejected his requests.
The charges brought against Golubski were dismissed by U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse as a result of his death. That was after prosecutors asked the court to do so. But another criminal case against three other co-defendants will go ahead.
“This matter involved extremely serious charges, and it is always difficult when a case is unable to be fully and fairly heard in a public trial and weighed and determined by a jury,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas said in a statement after Golubski’s death.
“The proceedings in this case may be over, but its lasting impact on all the individuals and families involved remains. We wish them peace and the opportunity for healing as they come to terms with this development and ask that they all be treated with respect and their privacy respected.”
Golubski’s trial primarily centered on two women, The Associated Press reported. One of them said she was a teenager in middle school when the ex-detective started abusing her. The other woman also claimed that Golubski started abusing her in the wake of her twin sons’ arrests. Seven other women had also intended to take the stand to testify against him, prosecutors said. Women advocates also said there could be more victims, but they are probably dead or scared to open up.
Prior to his death, Golubski was under house arrest and on kidney dialysis procedures. But some women and advocates registered their displeasure over how he was being treated by authorities.
“The community had an enormous interest in seeing this trial go forward,” Cheryl Pilate, an attorney for some of the women, said. “Now, the victims, the community and justice itself have been cheated.”
READ ALSO: T.D. Jakes files lawsuit against pastor who accused him of sexual assault
