The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has officially determined that no foul play was involved in the suicide of former Kansas City, Kansas, Police Detective Roger Golubski, who took his own life on the morning his federal trial was set to begin.
The 71-year-old disgraced detective, accused of kidnapping, rape, and civil rights violations, died from a gunshot wound to the head on December 2, 2024, just hours before he was expected in court.
Key Findings from the Investigation
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Date of Death | December 2, 2024 |
Time of Death | Around 9 a.m. |
Location | His home’s back porch, Kansas City, Kansas |
Cause of Death | Self-inflicted gunshot wound to the temple |
Weapon Used | Stolen Smith & Wesson M&P Shield handgun |
Federal Charges | Rape, kidnapping, and civil rights violations |
Trial Date | Scheduled for December 2, 2024 |
Golubski’s Final Moments
According to the KBI investigation, Golubski left his home around 8:30 a.m. on the morning of his scheduled court appearance. However, he never arrived at the federal courthouse in Topeka—a drive that should have taken about an hour.
Instead, he returned home, where he was later found dead on his back porch by his roommate, who reported hearing a gunshot at 9 a.m..
Investigators found that Golubski made multiple phone calls in his final moments, including calls to family members and his attorney, Chris Joseph, who was already at the courthouse waiting for him.
The Stolen Gun Mystery
The Smith & Wesson handgun used in Golubski’s suicide was reported stolen from a Kansas City, Missouri, woman in 2022.
- No direct connection between Golubski and the woman was found.
- Authorities could not determine exactly how Golubski obtained the firearm.
- Despite being on home arrest with an electronic monitoring device, he was able to acquire an illegal weapon.
Suicide Notes and Autopsy Findings
Investigators discovered five suicide notes left by Golubski, though their contents have not been disclosed.
The autopsy report, completed on December 3, 2024, confirmed:
- Single gunshot wound to the temple.
- No other injuries.
- Toxicology tests found no significant substances in his system.
Victims Left Without Justice
Golubski’s suicide brought an abrupt end to the federal case, leaving many of his alleged victims frustrated and without closure.
A History of Abuse and Corruption
Golubski was widely known as a “dirty cop”, accused of:
- Sexually assaulting vulnerable women, many of them Black.
- Framing innocent men for violent crimes.
- Protecting criminals, including a drug dealer running a sex trafficking ring of underage girls in Kansas City, Kansas.
His arrest by the FBI in 2022 was seen as a long-overdue step toward justice for his victims. However, his release on home arrest infuriated many, as survivors felt he was being given special treatment.
Voices of the Survivors
Victim Niko Quinn, who was pressured by Golubski into giving false testimony in a 1994 double homicide case, spoke out after his death.
“I was angry because there were so many unanswered questions. Where’s my justice? What are they going to do for the community and the victims’ families that are still here?”
Golubski’s death means that survivors will never see him convicted in a court of law, leaving many legal and emotional questions unresolved.
The Aftermath and Community Reaction
Golubski’s death has sparked renewed discussions about:
- Accountability in law enforcement.
- The need for greater protections for victims of police abuse.
- How authorities handle high-profile criminal cases.
With the federal case against him now closed, many are left wondering what, if anything, will be done to bring justice to those he harmed.
The KBI’s determination that no foul play was involved in Roger Golubski’s suicide confirms that the disgraced detective took his own life just hours before facing federal justice.
While his death spares him a public trial and potential conviction, it leaves behind a community still demanding accountability.
For the victims of his alleged crimes, his suicide represents a loss of the chance to confront him in court, but it does not erase the decades of pain and trauma he inflicted.
As the Kansas City, Kansas, community grapples with this ending, the call for reform, transparency, and justice for victims of police corruption remains louder than ever.