Whitney Houston death: SWAT team supervisor Brien Weir files lawsuit over death scene

Former police SWAT team supervisor Brian Weir filed suit Monday against the city of Beverly Hills and its police department, alleging he was removed from his position for reporting that a fellow officer disturbed the scene of Whitney Houston’s death in 2012.

Officer Brian Weir’s lawsuit alleges that then-Det. Sgt. Terry Nutall lifted the sheet covering Whitney Houston’s body and commented: “Damn, she’s still looking good, huh?”

Whitney Houston was found dead in her room at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills on February 11, 2012. She was 48. The Los Angeles County Coroner determined that she died of accidental drowning, with cocaine use and heart disease as contributing factors.

Brian Weir’s lawsuit alleges that as the senior patrol sergeant on duty, he “attempted to secure and preserve the scene of the death” and had placed a sheet over Houston’s body to “prevent contamination” before Terry Nutall arrived and removed it “to an area below the pubic region.”

He alleges he was removed from his position as head of the department’s SWAT team after reporting the alleged misconduct. The suit, filed on his behalf by attorney Christopher Brizzolara, seeks unspecified damages for pain and suffering and loss of special unit pay.

Terry Nutall has since been promoted to lieutenant.

Police spokesman Lt. Lincoln Hoshino said Terry Nutall was near the Whitney Houston death scene and was the detective division sergeant on duty, which meant it was appropriate for him to respond.