Tara Reid has publicly responded after Illinois police concluded their investigation into her claim of being drugged at a hotel bar, stating that the experience is ‘truly heartbreaking’ and criticizing those who have misrepresented the facts. The Rosemont Police Department closed the case due to a lack of evidence, though Reid maintains that surveillance gaps and her hospitalization point to foul play.
On December 17, 2025, Tara Reid broke her silence following the Rosemont Police Department’s decision to close the investigation into her alleged drugging incident. A police spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE that the case was closed as of December 11 after no additional evidence emerged since their initial statement in early December. The investigation, which began after Reid filed a report on November 25, involved interviewing all parties and reviewing surveillance footage, but authorities found no proof of drink tampering. Despite this, the spokesperson noted they aren’t dismissing Reid’s claims as false, acknowledging that there are periods not captured on video.
Reid, 50, expressed deep disappointment and emotional distress in a statement shared with PEOPLE on Wednesday. She described the situation as ‘truly heartbreaking’ and accused others of ‘twisting reality’ without firsthand knowledge of the events. The actress emphasized that the online bullying and misinformation have severely affected her mental health, leading her to speak out to set the record straight. Reid reiterated that she filed the police report in hopes of finding answers, not to falsely accuse anyone, and she thanked her supporters for their understanding during this difficult time.
The incident dates back to November 23, when Reid was taken to a hospital from the DoubleTree Chicago O’Hare Airport – Rosemont hotel on a stretcher. She claimed to have ‘completely blacked out’ after having a drink at the hotel bar with a stranger, waking up in the hospital the next day with no memory of what happened. Reid previously told PEOPLE that ‘no one ends up in the hospital incapacitated for over eight hours after a drink,’ highlighting the severity of her condition. Police released a 911 call from that night, where a hotel staff member reported Reid as barely standing and unresponsive, with Reid heard slurring words in the background.
In early December, Rosemont police stated that surveillance footage from the hotel did not show anyone tampering with Reid’s drink, though they confirmed a bartender covered her drink when she left the bar, a standard practice. The footage reviewed by authorities spanned over an hour but allegedly had gaps, with Reid noting that 33 minutes were unaccounted for. Police emphasized that while they couldn’t corroborate the drugging claim based on available evidence, they remained open to revisiting the case if new information surfaced. This stance was reiterated in their December 17 update, closing the investigation due to the absence of conclusive proof.
Reid contested the police’s interpretation of the footage, telling the Daily Mail that the video doesn’t show her consuming large amounts of alcohol as implied. She detailed that in the footage, she only took one sip of wine over 30 minutes and declined another drink because she hadn’t finished her first. Reid also expressed frustration that her hospital tests didn’t include a blood alcohol content check, and she alleged she was never given an IV, raising questions about the medical response. She described waking up in a hospital gown with no recollection, adding to her trauma and confusion over the events.
The closure of the investigation has sparked widespread media coverage and public discussion, with Reid facing ridicule and skepticism online. In her statements, she appealed for empathy, noting how terrifying it is for a woman to experience such an incident and then see videos of her vulnerable state circulated globally. Reid hopes her story can raise awareness and potentially help others in similar situations, emphasizing the need for thorough investigations in cases of alleged drugging. She has called for an end to the bullying and requested privacy to focus on her healing process.
As the case concludes officially, Reid’s experience underscores the challenges in proving drugging allegations without physical evidence or witnesses. The police’s decision highlights the limitations of surveillance in capturing all details, while Reid’s persistence reflects broader issues around victim credibility in high-profile cases. Moving forward, Reid plans to step back from the public eye to recover, urging the public to respect her need for space and support as she navigates the aftermath of this distressing episode.
