Bridgeport woman’s death ruled accident
Cause released for Smith-fields, 23, who was found unresponsive at home
The Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner on Tuesday released the cause of death for a young Black woman found dead last month in her Bridgeport apartment. In response to the findings, police have opened a criminal investigation, following complaints from her family.
Lauren Smith-fields, 23, died after a man she had met recently online called police on Dec. 12 to say he awoke to find Smith-fields unresponsive. Smithfield’s family said police never notified them of her death, which they learned about more than a day later through a note left on her apartment door by her landlord.
Her death was caused by “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, promethazine, hydroxyzine, and alcohol. “The death was ruled accidental.
The Bridgeport Police Department said later Tuesday that its Narcotics and Vice Division has opened a criminal investigation as a result of the medical examiner’s report. The department will be assisted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to a statement. The department also noted that its Detective Bureau’s investigation will remain open as intelligence transitions to the Narcotics and Vice Division.
The Bridgeport Police Department release said the agency’s “thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family and friends of Ms. Lauren Smith-fields.”
The family said police told them the man who called authorities was not a suspect in her death, but have not told them why. The detective eventually asked them to stop calling, they said. The family’s attorney, Darnell Crosland, has notified the city of his intent to file a lawsuit accusing police of failing to properly investigate.
“The police department has been racially insensitive to this family and has treated this family with no respect and has violated their civil rights,” Crosland wrote.
The city said in a statement that they had been awaiting the result of toxicology tests to determine the cause of Smith-fields death and that the investigation is continuing.
Mayor Joe Ganim said Monday that sensitivity and respect toward family members are important and the handling of the case has been referred to the Office of Internal Affairs for an investigation. He said he would work with the police chief to make changes to department practices for notifying family members of a death.
“I support and add my voice to the family, community, and elected officials who are calling for state legislation on this issue,” he said.
About 100 people held a rally in Bridgeport on Sunday, on what would have been Smith-field’s 24th birthday, asking the state take over the police investigation.
The family also is seeking an internal affairs investigation into the handling of the death and are asking state lawmakers to pass legislation requiring that loved ones be notified within 24 hours when someone is found dead.
Maria Pereira, a city councilwoman whose district includes Smithfields’ home, said she is appalled by the way the woman’s family has been treated and apparent deference shown to the 37-yearold white man who was with her when she died.