Patrick Kane Will Not Face Charges Stemming from Rape Allegations

Chicago Blackhawks right winger Patrick Kane will not face charges after being investigated for sexual assault.

"The totality of the credible evidence—the proof—does not sufficiently substantiate the complainant’s allegation that she was raped by Patrick Kane and this so-called 'case' is rife with reasonable doubt," Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III said in a statement. "Accordingly, the Office of the Erie County District Attorney will not present this matter to an Erie County Grand Jury."

The announcement came after Kane's accuser reportedly told authorities on Tuesday she no longer wanted to cooperate with the investigation into the Blackhawks star.

Citing "five sources with knowledge of the case," Dan Herbeck and Lou Michel of the Buffalo News reported that Kane's accuser "told authorities that the high-profile investigation has caused tremendous stress for her and her family, and that she no longer wishes to participate."

Herbeck and Michel also reported that the alleged victim signed an "affidavit declining prosecution," which was being reviewed by Sedita.

Kane, 26, was under investigation after being accused of raping a woman in the Buffalo, New York, area Aug. 2. The woman alleged Kane "overpowered her and raped her" after she went back to his house after meeting him at a local club, per Herbeck and Michel.

DNA testing later called into question the veracity of the woman's claims. In addition, an allegation of tampering led to her initial attorney dropping her as a client.

"I don’t have confidence in the version [of events] that was provided to me," Thomas Eoannou said, per CBS Chicago. The attorney noted, however, the "development shouldn’t automatically discredit the central allegation that Kane sexually assaulted his former client."

Eoannou initially claimed the rape kit was tampered with, though he later backtracked. The Hamburg Police Department vehemently denied those claims in a statement on its Facebook page:

"

In regard to the information conveyed today by Mr. Thomas Eoannou, the Hamburg Police Department will cooperate with any authorized investigation regarding the handling of evidence and the procedure of such. That said, The Hamburg Police Department has documentation that unequivocally demonstrates that its handling of the evidence and the integrity of its chain of custody of evidence in this case is unassailable. As is policy with active investigations, there will be no further comment regarding this situation.

"

Kane continued to play despite the investigation. He has 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) through the Blackhawks' first 13 games. Though largely eschewing public comment, Kane has denied all wrongdoing.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.