Topeka, Kansas – The body of Roger Golubski, a former Kansas police detective awaiting trial for kidnapping and raping two women many years ago, was found at his home on Monday. Golubski, 71, was discovered after he failed to appear for jury selection in his trial in Topeka. Sources confirmed that he died by suicide.
The disgraced detective was accused of using his position to sexually assault vulnerable Black women over several decades in Kansas City, Kansas. Prosecutors alleged that Golubski specifically targeted victims he believed would not be believed if they reported the crimes. Golubski denied the allegations, with his lawyers suggesting that his accusers were either fabricating their claims or repeating unproven rumors.
After an extensive investigation, federal authorities brought charges against Golubski in 2022. The second indictment accused him of involvement in sex trafficking underage girls with a drug kingpin. The accusations surfaced during a civil case involving Golubski and his former department, which also included claims that he wrongfully framed a teenager for a double murder in 1994.
The case against Golubski garnered attention in Kansas and led to new legislation addressing sexual misconduct by police officers. The local newspaper, The Kansas City Star, extensively covered the developments, with a newspaper columnist receiving a Pulitzer Prize for their reporting. Even Jay-Z’s nonprofit, Team Roc, highlighted the situation in a full-page ad in The Washington Post, calling it one of the worst cases of abuse of power in U.S. history.
Prosecutors acknowledged the challenges in the case, noting that they heavily relied on the credibility of Golubski’s alleged victims. Despite a thorough investigation by the FBI, there was limited evidence beyond the accounts of the victims to support the accusations.
Following Golubski’s death, federal prosecutors expressed their disappointment that the case would not proceed to trial. They emphasized the lasting impact on the individuals and families involved and extended wishes of peace and healing to them.