A Connecticut family is speaking out following the death of their daughter, alleging that local police have been uncooperative amid the investigation.
Lauren Smith-Fields, per a report earlier this month from News 12 Westchester, was said to have been found unresponsive in her apartment “and later died.” The local medical examiner, as of earlier this month, had not released information on the cause of death.
Lauren’s father, Everett, told local reporters that the family knows “without a doubt” that their daughter did not use drugs. According to Everett, he has also “paid out of pocket” for a second autopsy due to the family feeling “uncomfortable” with how the investigation was being handled.
Lauren’s family has also pointed out that their 23-year-old daughter had recently met someone they described as an “older white man” on the Bumble app. Her brother Lakeem Jetter added that the family has inquired about this individual during conversations with local police, who are said to have “made it seem like the guy was a nice guy” and “there was nothing to investigate.” The man is also reportedly who first notified authorities of Lauren’s death.
Furthermore, Everett said what little interaction they’ve had with local authorities has been “insensitive” in nature. “The only contact that we have had was from a very insensitive, condescending, and arrogant detective,” he told reporters.
Maria Pereira, a local city council member, has also joined in the family’s criticism of the Bridgeport Police Department. In a statement to News 12 Westchester, a City of Bridgeport rep said how the case has been handled is being reviewed by the Command Staff of the Detective Bureau. Complex has reached out to a Bridgeport Police Department rep for additional comment.
As is movingly recalled in the video up top, Lauren Smith-Fields was an accomplished track athlete in high school. More recently, she was studying at Norwalk Community College. Many have now taken to social media to call for greater attention on the questions surrounding Smith-Fields’ death, with several pointing out recent examples of how things like missing white woman syndrome persist to this day, thus showing a continued disparity in how cases at large are covered.
RIP.
