The family of a 23-year-old woman who was found dead inside her Bridgeport apartment in December is looking for answers about her death and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has released information on how she died.
Lauren Smith-Fields died of "acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, promethazine, hydroxyzine, and alcohol," according to the medical examiner's office, and her death is being ruled an accident.
Lauren, a graduate of Stamford High School, was a student at Norwalk Community College and had her own business.
Her family said they were outraged and disgusted at how they say the Bridgeport Police Department has handled the investigation.
Lauren's family told NBC Connecticut their nightmare started when they did not hear from her.
Get Tri-state area news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York's News Headlines newsletter.
Lauren's mother and brother went to her apartment on Dec. 13 and saw a note on the door.
U.S. & World
The family said the note had a number on it and said, 'If you're looking for Lauren' call the number. The number belonged to the landlord who later told the family that Lauren had died.
The family said they had to call police and the detective about the case and didn't get confirmation about Lauren's death until they reached out to the Bridgeport Police Department.
Bridgeport Police issued a statement to NBC Connecticut:
"On December 12, 2021, the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center received a call for service regarding an untimely death. Upon police arrival, it was found that Ms. Laruen-Smith-Fields passed away unexpectedly. This incident is currently being investigated by the Bridgeport Police Department's Detective Bureau. This investigation remains open and active. The Detective Bureau is awaiting the final report from the Chief Medical Examiner's Office for cause and manner of death of Ms. Smith-Fields. The Bridgeport Police Department offers it's sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Ms. Lauren Smith-Fields. We encourage anyone with information regarding this incident to contact either Detective-Sergeant Joseph Morales at 203-581-5219 or the Bridgeport Police TIPS line at 203-576-8477."
The family said once they reached out to the detective, he confirmed that Lauren had passed away and she had met a man through the dating app known as "Bumble."
Once her family found out about the man, they asked the detective about the man who Lauren met through the dating app, but the family said the detective's response was shocking.
"When I asked the officer about the guy, he said he was a very nice guy and they weren't looking into him anymore," Smith-Fields' brother, Lakeem Jetter, said "It was almost like he was sticking up for him and it seemed weird to hear that from a detective."
After the family continued to ask questions about the investigation, that's when they said they began running into issues.
"He told me directly on the phone to stop calling him and hung up in my face, it was just like total disrespect, like that's what you tell a family that's going through grief and trying to find answers?" asked Jetter. "The way they talked to me, the way they have talked to the family, how they treated my daughter, they treated her like she was nobody, like she was not important," said Shantell Smith.
The family said each time they reached out to the police department, they felt anger and frustration. Those emotions and search for answers led them to hiring attorney Darnell Crosland in an effort to get justice for Lauren.
Attorney Crosland tells NBC Connecticut the family has been treated unfairly throughout this last month and they deserve justice and motions that they plan to hire an independent investigator.
Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim said the city's Office of Internal Affairs will conduct a "full and fair investigation" into the handling of her death.
"Sensitivity and care is of utmost importance when working with the family of a victim. There is no tolerance for anything less than respect and sensitivity for family members and their loss," Ganim said in a statement.
Ganim also announced that he will work with the Chief of Police to make changes to the police department's policies and practices when it comes to notifying family members of a death.
"I support and add my voice to the family, community, and elected officials who are calling for state legislation on this issue," Ganim said.
