Woman dies in East Haven police custody after experiencing medical event
A woman died after experiencing a medical event while in custody with the East Haven Police Department on Friday evening, police said.
She was taken into custody on Thursday around 7:45 p.m. Officers were dispatched to a McDonald’s at 687 Main St. in East Haven after it was reported that two women appeared impaired or unresponsive while using the self-service kiosk, according to police.
When officers arrived, they spoke to the women, who initially provided fake names and dates of birth. Once police confirmed the women’s identities, they took one of them into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant, police said.
The next morning, the woman was transported to court for her arraignment, where she said she had a medical concern. She was then sent to Yale-New Haven Hospital for evaluation, and later discharged and returned to police custody, according to police.
On Friday evening, the woman died in a holding cell after she “suffered a medical event.” Officers immediately rendered aid and requested emergency medical assistance, but she was subsequently pronounced dead, police said.
“Immediately following this incident, the East Haven Police Department made all required notifications, including to the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General and the individual’s next of kin,” East Haven Police Captain Joseph M. Murgo said.
Murgo said the department waited until Monday to release a statement to make sure the woman’s family was properly notified and that the information was accurate.
The Office of the Inspector General and the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad are now investigating the woman’s death as it is required by state law.
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