August 8, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Beverly Hills police sergeant’s lawsuit regarding death of Whitney Houston moves forward

A Beverly Hills police sergeant’s lawsuit against the city related to the death of singer Whitney Houston can move forward, a judge ruled today.

Sgt. Brian Weir alleged he was harassed and denied promotions for reporting a detective, Sgt. Terry Nutall, peeked at Houston’s nude body the night she died in a bathtub.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gregory Alarcon rejected arguments by defense attorney Donald Samuels that Nutall never touched or disturbed the famed entertainer’s corpse at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and that plaintiff Sgt. Brian Weir could not have believed he was witnessing a possible crime.

“There’s no indication that Sgt. Nutall moved the body from the place of death,” Samuels said.

Samuels said the only people who moved Houston’s body were the singer’s bodyguards and the paramedics.

But Weir’s lawyer, Christopher Brizzolara, scoffed at Samuel’s assertion. He said it is unlawful to disturb or move a decedent’s body without the coroner’s permission. He said that taking the sheet from her body was just as wrong as it would have been to take off her blouse.

“Any reasonable person would believe that what Sgt. Nutall did was illegal or should be illegal,” Brizzolara said.

Brizzolara said after the hearing that Weir was present at the scene because he was on a patrol that night and called to assist the first two officers to arrive.

Nutall, a forgery detective, had no business there, Brizzolara said.

Weir was on a fast ascent within the department’s promotional ladder before he reported Nutall’s alleged misconduct, Brizzolara said.

Houston, 48, was found submerged in a bathtub in her room at the Beverly Hilton on Feb. 11, 2012 — just before the Grammy Awards. The coroner’s office concluded she drowned accidentally, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.

Weir’s retaliation suit, filed March 10, alleges that Nutall knelt beside and leaned over Houston, removed the sheet covering her body and said, “Damn, she’s still looking good, huh?”

Nutall also made comments “to the effect and substance that (Houston) looked attractive for a woman her age and current state,” the lawsuit states.

Nutall’s alleged actions violated state or federal statutes that forbid disturbing or moving the body of a decedent without permission of the coroner and also presented potential DNA contamination issues, the lawsuit states.

In addition, Nutall “treated the dead body of the decedent in a way that Nutall knew would outrage ordinary family sensibilities,” according to the lawsuit.

The suit alleges that, after Weir came forward with his complaints about Nutall’s alleged conduct, he was removed from his positions with the SWAT and K-9 teams, removed from supervisory positions and denied promotions.

Weir also lost overtime opportunities, was denied training and was ostracized and harassed within the department, the suit states. Along with damages, Weir is asking to be restored to his SWAT and K-9 positions, which are considered coveted positions with the BHPD, the suit states.

Nutall has since been promoted to lieutenant, Weir’s suit states.

Trial of Weir’s case is scheduled July 20.

Related Posts

Full Moon Frights at Cinespia: Vampires, Werewolves, and a Night Under the Stars

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Double Feature Coincides With Rare Celestial Triple Event Cinespia invites fans of horror comedy classics will gather under the glow...

Xenomorphs Hit Hollywood: FX Launches Global ‘Alien: Earth’ Hunt Ahead of Series Premiere

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Fans Can Track “Crash-Site” Crates in LA for Instant Prizes, Photo Ops, and Sweepstakes FX is bringing the world of...

Glorya Kaufman, Dance, Arts and Health Philanthropist Who Transformed L.A.’s Landscape, Dies at 95

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

From Culver City, Brentwood, UCLA, USC, and Downtown LA, Her Generosity was Legendary Glorya Kaufman, a transformative benefactor to the...

Overnight Lane Closures Set for I-405 Through Sepulveda Pass Next Week

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Caltrans to Close Multiple Northbound and Southbound Lanes Nightly  Caltrans will implement overnight lane closures along Interstate 405 in the...

Levain Bakery Lands in Beverly Hills with Cookies, Swag, and a Sweet Surprise

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Newest Location’s Debut Includes Limited-Edition Flavor, Early-Bird Giveaways Levain Bakery will mark the opening of its newest location in Beverly...

Bistro Blue’s One Night Only Seasonal Menu Pops Up at Little City Farms August 10

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Chef Kara Vorabutr’s Garden Dinner Promises to be a Seasonal Showstopper Bistro Blue, a pop-up concept by Chef Kara Vorabutr,...

Cardinale du Vin’s Weekend Izakaya Pop-Up Blends Thai Flavors and Japanese Dishes

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Three Nights Only: Thai-Japanese Fusion Menu Launched in Pico-Robertson Cardinale du Vin is unveiling a special izakaya-inspired menu this weekend,...

Santa Monica’s Chez Jay Celebrates 66 Years with Retro Bash by the Beach

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Landmark Restaurant Celebrates With Classic Cars, Live Music, Celebrity Lore One of Los Angeles County’s most storied restaurants will mark...

Film Review: Weapons

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

By Dolores Quintana You might be asking yourself what the film Weapons is about. Not to worry, writer and director...

Classic Rock Tribute Takes Center Stage at Beverly Hills Summer Series, Concerts on Canon

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rod Lightning and the Thunderbolts of Love Bring High-Energy Hits to the Stage The City of Beverly Hills continues its...

Trial Date Set for Alleged ‘Ketamine Queen’ in Matthew Perry’s Death

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Woman Accused in Matthew Perry’s Overdose to Face Jury The woman accused of supplying the fatal dose of ketamine that...

DUI Suspect Identified and Charged in Crash That Killed 9-Year-Old, Injured Brother

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

RV Driver to Face Serious Felony Charges After Striking Boys Riding E-Scooter The 46-year-old man who was allegedly driving under...

Late-Night Traffic Stop in L.A. Lands Rap Star Soulja Boy Back in Legal Spotlight

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rapper Taken Into Custody During Early Morning Traffic Stop Rapper Soulja Boy was taken into custody early Sunday after Los...

Deadly Crosswalk Hit and Run in West Adams, Victim Hit Multiple Times and Left to Die

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Police Seek Public Help to Identify Three Drivers Who Struck and Killed a Pedestrian  Detectives with the Los Angeles Police...

Brentwood Bookstore Welcomes a Hollywood Insider and Secret Service Agent for a Night of Noir

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Tinseltown Thrills Meet Real-Life Intrigue With Author of To Live and Die in LA Diesel, A Bookstore will host a...