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The Bridgeport Police announced on Tuesday, Jan. 25, they have officially opened a case into the death of Lauren Smith-Fields, age 23, of Bridgeport, who was found dead in her apartment on Sunday, Dec. 12 by Bridgeport Police, said Captain Kevin Gilleran.
Gilleran said that as a result of the medical examiner's report ruling the death as an accidental drug overdose, the department's Narcotics and Vice Division have opened a criminal investigation along with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The Detective Bureau’s investigation will remain open as intelligence transitions to the Narcotics and Vice Division, he added.
Smith-Fields family is planning to sue the Department in hopes that it will spur action into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The family also is seeking an internal affairs investigation into the handling of her death and is asking lawmakers to pass legislation requiring loved ones to be notified within 24 hours when someone is found dead.
Smith-Fields was found dead after meeting up with a man named Matthew LaFountain from the dating app Bumble.
According to an incident report, obtained by the family's attorney, Smith-Fields’ body was found by LaFountain after a night of drinking and eating. He claims he found her around 6:30 a.m. on the floor bleeding from the nose. He called 911 to report her death.
The family was not notified of her death by police, instead, they found out from Smith-Field's landlord when they visited her apartment after not hearing from her in a couple of days.
Bridgeport's Chief of Police Rebeca Garcia said the department is treating the case as an open investigation.
“The Bridgeport Police Department continues to treat the untimely death of Lauren Smith-Fields as an active investigation as we are now refocusing our attention and efforts to the factors that lead to her untimely death," Garcia said. "We have engaged several partners to assist with this portion of the investigation. Once again, we offer our sincerest condolences to the friends and family of Lauren Smith-Fields.”
Anyone with information regarding the narcotics investigation to contact Narcotics and Vice Lieutenant Charles Johnson at (203) 449-2195 or the Bridgeport Police TIPS Line at (203) 576-TIPS.
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