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Up To Date

In the weeks after Roger Golubski's death, his victims say they still feel 'haunted'

By Steve Kraske,
Halle Jackson
Published December 17, 2024 at 1:52 PM CST
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From the right, a man wearing a suit holds a microphone and speaks to a crowd of people sitting in chairs.
Laura Ziegler
/
KCUR 89.3
After the death of Roger Golubski, community members gathered at the First Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas to share their thoughts and discuss how to move forward.

Former Kansas City, Kansas, Police detective Roger Golubski had been set to stand trial for accusations that he'd used the power of his badge to abuse and exploit Black women for decades. In the wake of his death, KCUR gathered survivors and other community members for a conversation about the damage he caused — and what they want to see happen next.

Dec. 2 was supposed to mark a day of justice for Wyandotte County.

After two years of home arrest, Roger Golubski, a longtime Kansas City, Kansas Police detective accused of using the power of his badge to abuse and exploit Black women for decades, was set to stand trial.

Except that morning, he didn’t show up to court. It wasn’t long before he was found dead at his home of an apparent suicide. Without a defendant to stand trial, the case was dismissed.

Since then, the Kansas City, Kansas community has been grappling with Golubski's death. For his alleged victims, Golubski's death meant answers weren't coming anymore, but raised a whole lot of new questions.

To make some sense of it, KCUR gathered survivors and other community members for a conversation about what's happened, and how to move forward.

Among the attendants was Niko Quinn. She says Golubski pressured her into making false testimony during a double homicide case in 1994.

"I want healing. Give me some sleep. Give me some peace. That's what I want, and I don't want to be in no grave to get it," Quinn said.

This episode was produced from a community forum organized by KCUR's community engagement team: Laura Ziegler, Ron Jones and Zach Perez, with Peggy Lowe and Steve Kraske. Chris Prewitt was the audio engineer.

Tags
Up To Date PodcastKansasKansas City Kansas (KCK)Kansas City Kansas PoliceRoger GolubskiUnified Government of Wyandotte County/KCK
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Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
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Halle Jackson
In an era defined by the unprecedented, one thing remains certain: Kansas Citians’ passion for their hometown. As an Up To Date producer, I construct daily conversations to keep our city connected. My work analyzes big challenges and celebrates achievements to help you see your town in a new way. Email me at hallejackson@kcur.org.
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