Blackhawks Star Patrick Kane's Home Searched By Police In Rape Investigation

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Aug 7, 2015 4:20PM

Patrick Kane speaking during the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Championship Rally in June. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Police in Patrick Kane's hometown finally confirmed in a press conference this morning that he is the subject of an investigation. Authorities offered few details during the conference or in written statements, except to say that they have searched Kane's home and that they are awaiting results from forensic tests. Police did not confirm reports that they are investigating rape allegations against the hockey star.

Hamburg Town Police Chief Gregory G. Wickett spoke at the press conference this morning and read from a short, written statement that was also handed out to media:

Wickett refused to take any questions from reporters, according to The Buffalo News.

The Buffalo News notes that investigators have been given strict orders not to discuss the case, however, the newspaper has more details about the allegations from anonymous sources close to the case.

A young woman says that she met Kane at a nightclub Saturday night or early Sunday. She alleges he took her to his waterfront home in Hamburg where he raped her. She went to a local hospital where she was examined for physical evidence of rape. Sources told The Buffalo News that police have searched Kane's home for evidence. The prosecutor assigned to the case is Roseanne Johnson, who heads the Special Victims Unit in the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and specializes in sexual assault cases.

Sources say that Paul Cambria Jr., who represented Kane when he was accused of assaulting a Buffalo cab driver in 2009, is representing Kane in this case again. Cambria refused to comment on the case or confirm he was representing Kane.

It's not clear where Kane might have met the woman in question. Police sources told a local ABC affiliate that Kane may have met the woman at a bar in nearby Evans. Sources told The Buffalo News that it was at a bar in downtown Buffalo. There was plenty of social media chatter about Kane over the weekend in the Buffalo area:

Deadspin notes that a Sky Bar, a Buffalo rooftop club, posted a photo of Kane from that evening, but they took it down once rumors of an investigation began swirling.

The NHL has confirmed they are following this case, and the Chicago Blackhawks released a statement saying, "We are aware of the matter and are in the process of gathering information. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."