Chicago, IL – 36-year-old Chicago police officer Krystal Rivera was tragically killed in the line of duty earlier this year, and the autopsy results have revealed shocking new details about her death. According to the Cook County Medical Examiner, Officer Rivera was shot from behind, with the bullet entering her left flank and narrowly missing her bulletproof vest, ultimately piercing her lung.
Homicide Investigation and Accidental Shooting
The autopsy, released Wednesday, officially lists Rivera’s death as a homicide, but details surrounding the incident remain under investigation. The fatal shooting occurred in June 2025 in the East Chatham neighborhood of Chicago, during an investigatory stop that escalated into a police chase.
According to Officer Carlos Baker, Rivera’s partner, has not been charged with a crime, and the shooting is being investigated as accidental. Baker’s defense attorney, Tim Grace, emphasized that the focus should be on Rivera’s tragic loss, not second-guessing tactical decisions made during the incident.
Family Demands Body Cam Footage Release
Rivera’s family has demanded that Chicago police release the body camera footage, citing Baker’s disciplinary record with the CPD. Rivera’s mother stated, “I need to know what happened that night, I need to know the truth.”
Baker Relieved of Police Powers
In the aftermath of the shooting, Officer Carlos Baker was relieved of police powers, meaning he was stripped of his badge and gun and no longer had the authority to make arrests. However, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) has not clarified why Baker’s powers were removed.
The Rivera family’s legal team issued a statement saying they believe Baker’s removal was appropriate, but also raised concerns about his prior actions, claiming that the CPD hired a “rogue” officer, despite knowing he was a danger to the community. The family argued that had the CPD terminated Baker’s probation early, Rivera’s death might have been avoided.
Legal Proceedings and Secrecy Order
Matt Topic, attorney for NBC 5 Chicago, the Better Government Association, and the Chicago Sun-Times, has filed a motion seeking the release of all documents related to the incident, including body cam and dashcam footage. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office had previously filed a secrecy order to keep key records sealed, blocking public access to essential details about the incident.
NBC 5 Chicago reported that the court has scheduled a hearing for Sept. 10, and will review whether these materials can be released to the public.
Family’s Call for Justice
The Rivera family has called for maximum transparency, referencing the Laquan McDonald case and the alleged code of silence within the Chicago Police Department. They continue to push for the release of all materials related to the incident in hopes of understanding exactly what happened to Officer Krystal Rivera.
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