‘We’ll have an arrest soon’
Bridgeport police search for Bethel woman’s killer as family plans funeral
As Emily Todd’s family announced funeral arrangements Wednesday, Bridgeport police pushed ahead in their investigation to find her killer.
“I guarantee we’ll have an arrest soon,” Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez said Wednesday. “We’re headed in the right direction.”
Todd, 25, was found dead Sunday near a Bridgeport boat launch ramp on Seaview Avenue, shot once in the back of the head. Police said she had gone to the city to meet a man. Police said she was killed where she was found.
“It’s a shame,” Perez said. “The young lady did not deserve that.”
Bethel Police Capt. Stephen Pugner said Todd’s family reported her missing Sunday morning.
“She didn’t show up to work, which was the big red flag, so to speak,” Pugner said. “That’s when the family became concerned. They called us.”
Todd worked at Saint John Paul II Center, a Danbury senior living facility. Colleagues and friends Tuesday described Todd as caring , citing her passion for helping dementia patients.
Bethel officers later learned Todd’s body had been found in Bridgeport.
Pugner said Bethel’s Detective Bureau is in contact with Bridgeport officers, but Bridgeport has taken the lead on the investigation.
“We assist them as much as we can, even though it’s not much at this point,” he said.
A Bethel police officer monitored the family’s home on Tuesday. “We wanted to be available and make them feel secure,” Pugner said. “It's a pretty tragic thing.”
Calling hours for Todd will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Bethel Funeral Home and a celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethel United Methodist Church.
“Emily’s kind and loving nature will forever live in the hearts and minds of all those that were fortunate enough to have known her,” her obituary said.
Greg Henry, a family member, thanked the community for its support in a Bethel Facebook group.
“The grief is unimaginable and we desperately want for Emily to be remembered as the kindhearted and loving girl that she was,” he wrote.
Todd was born in Portland, Maine, and lived with her mother and stepfather in Bethel. She is survived by her father, step-mother and three brothers.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked the community to consider donating in Todd’s name to Moms Demand Action, an organization that advocates for common-sense gun laws.
Donations can be given online. As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, $255 had been donated.