Roger Golubski, former police officer who allegedly threatened black women, was found dead before trial

Roger Golubski, a former Kansas City detective accused of sexual assault and threats to black women, died by suicide at his home.

The news comes after Golubski, 71, failed to appear in court on Monday. He died at his residence in Edwardsville The Kansas City Star. Golubski was under house arrest.

Golubski was charged with six counts of violating women’s civil rights. The charges stemmed from the alleged abuse of two women, including one who was just 13 years old.

Golubski was accused of forcing himself on them on multiple occasions and threatening them with death or retaliation if they did not comply. Both women were expected to testify during the trial about the alleged cases of rape and sexual misconduct in the 1990s and early 2000s.

After Golubski failed to appear in court, a federal judge issued an arrest warrant. Monday was scheduled to be the first day of jury selection in the trial.

Defense attorney Chris Joseph told Judge Golubski he was “disheartened by the media coverage.”

Court was later adjourned and potential jurors were sent home for the day. At 11 a.m., prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the case due to the defendant’s death.

What was Roger Golubski accused of?

Golubski was accused of abusing his position as a police officer for decades to sexually assault black women. He was charged in September 2022.

In court filings, prosecutors alleged that Golubski chose the victims because he believed they would never be believed.

Golubski protested his innocence. His lawyers said his accusers made up their stories and relied on unproven allegations or rumors.

Despite a multi-year FBI investigation, prosecutors said there wasn’t much evidence of the alleged abuse other than victims’ accounts.

“This trial depends entirely on the credibility of the victim,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing last year.

Two months later, a second indictment was filed against Golubski. The second indictment accused him of conspiring to participate in the sex trafficking of underage girls. The indictment says Golubski and three other men allegedly conspired to keep young women as sex slaves.

Prosecutors also filed a civil lawsuit in 2023, alleging that several former Kansas City police chiefs and investigators ran a criminal enterprise “in which they exploited and coerced sexual acts from vulnerable Black women.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, texting “988” to the Crisis Text Line on 741 741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

Do you have a story? Newsweek should cover? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact [email protected].