Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Suicide Cop's Boss Claims Sex Was Consensual, She Tried To End Relationship
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 31, 2013
Modified Jan 31, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 31, 2013
Modified Jan 31, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The widow of an NYPD officer who died last year has claimed in a lawsuit that the Queens cop committed suicide because his commanding officer forced him to have sex with her for a favorable work schedule. Widow Gina Schindler said that her husband officer Matthew Schindler was forced into a sexual relationship with his supervisor, Sgt. Christine Hirtzel, that left him depressed and desperate. But Hirtzel had a very different account of the affair: she claims it was a consensual sexual relationship, and she was the one who tried to end it with Schindler on the day he committed suicide.
Hirtzel, who is married with two kids, told Internal Affairs investigators that she attempted to break up with Schindler on February 13th, 2012—but she claims he grew distraught at the precinct station house and said he couldn't live without her. "If I can't have you, then I'm going to kill myself," Schindler allegedly told her.
But according to the lawsuit, Schindler was the one trying to break off the affair, telling her it was “repugnant and causing him psychic injury and suffering.” The lawsuit reads: “Schindler was made to understand that he would suffer tangible detriment in his job, job assignments, working conditions and future prospects if he did not submit to the sexual advances." He allegedly said he would kill himself over the "guilt" if the affair didn't stop.
After the confrontation, Hirtzel told a precinct captain about the sexual relationship and Schindler's threats. That unnamed captain then tried “to rectify the hostile work environment and persuade him against suicide” by calling him. Schindler, who has been on the force since 1997, shot himself in his car about 4:30 p.m. that day after pulling over to the side of the Long Island Expressway.
Hirtzel, who was put on desk duty “to guard against emotional distress” after his death, was cleared of any impropriety by investigators. Schindler's widow is suing the city, the NYPD and Heitzel for violating her husband's civil rights.
Tagged
affair
Christine Hirtzel
death
Matthew Schindler
nypd
police
sex
sexual harassment
suicide
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 11:36 a.m. ET
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
Seeing high hopes dashed had become so routine, it was part of our identity. This year feels different.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
Seeing high hopes dashed had become so routine, it was part of our identity. This year feels different.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Man messaged 'I got straight poison' before giving NYC college students fentanyl, feds say
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .