Claim alleges cop peeked at Whitney Houston’s naked body
A Beverly Hills cop who responded to the scene of Whitney Houston’s death allegedly peeked under a sheet covering her naked body and said “Damn, she’ still looking good, huh?” according to a claim.
In the claim, Sgt. Brian Weir alleges that on the day of Houston’s death in February 2012, Det. Sgt. Terry Nutall arrived at the scene, and “for no legitimate law enforcement inquiry, investigative, or other proper and legal purpose... removed the sheet and/or other covering from the body ... to an area below the pubic region.”
The claim also alleges he “made comments to the effect that the former pop star ‘looked attractive for a woman of her age and current state’ and ‘Damn, she’s still looking good, huh?’ ”
The 48-year-old singer was discovered submerged in a bathtub in her room at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office determined she died of accidental drowning, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.
Weir said in the claim that as the senior patrol sergeant on duty he responded to the death scene. After he complained to his superiors about the alleged misconduct, Weir claims the city and police department “retaliated” by removing him from his position with the SWAT and K-9 units, stripping him of privileges and subjecting him to harassment.
Nutall’s actions included “disturbing and/or moving the body of the decedent from the position of death without the permission of the coroner,” “treating the dead body of the decedent in a way that would outrage ordinary family sensibilities,” “contaminating potential DNA” and “harming the integrity of the scene,” the claim said.
Beverly Hills Police Lt. Lincoln Hoshino said Tuesday that the department was aware of the claim but disputed “that there was any sort of retaliation” against Weir.
“The responding detective sergeant in question was working in the city of Beverly Hills on another assignment, and he did properly and appropriately respond to the scene,” Hoshino said. “It is appropriate for a responding detective sergeant to briefly examine the body upon arriving to a scene like that.”
Hoshino added that the department would investigate Weir’s allegation about the comments made by Nutall, but said “At this time we’re not aware of any inappropriate behavior or inappropriate comments.”
Hoshino said the department stood behind the death investigation “100%” and there were no plans to reopen the investigation.
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Twitter: @MattStevensLAT
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