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Brenda Lee Rawls, age 53, of Bridgeport, who was found dead on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, cause of death was determined to be from cardiovascular disease with diabetes as a contributing cause, according to Bridgeport Police Capt. Kevin Gilleran.
Rawls' death, along with the death of 23-year-old Lauren Smith-Fields, also of Bridgeport, had attracted national media attention after their relatives reported not being notified of their deaths by police.
The detectives involved in the investigation of the women's cases, Angel Llanos and Detective Kevin Cronin were suspended from duties and put on administrative leave until an internal investigation and disciplinary cases have been completed, the department said earlier.
In Rawl's case, Gilleran said the toxicology came back negative on Monday, Jan. 31, and the family was immediately notified.
"The family was also informed that additional tests were necessary before the OCME (Office of the Medical Examiner) would make a decision on cause and manner of death," Gilleran added.
He added, that now that an official cause of death had been released by the medical examiner, the case will be closed once the official paperwork is received.
"The Bridgeport Police Department continues to express their heartfelt sympathies to the Rawls family during this difficult time," Gilleran said.
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