Two Detectives Suspended Due To Their Handling Of The Lauren Smith-Fields Case
As the death of 23-year-old Lauren Smith-Fields is finally being investigated, two Bridgeport, Connecticut detectives involved in the case have been suspended and put on administrative leave.
According to ABC News, the detectives have been identified as Angel Llanos and Kevin Cronin.
Bridgeport Mayor Joseph P. Ganim said in a statement, “The Bridgeport Police Department has high standards for officer sensitivity especially in matters involving the death of a family member. It is an unacceptable failure if policies were not followed. To the families, friends and all who care about the human decency that should be shown in these situations in this case by members of the Bridgeport Police Department, I am very sorry.”
Ganim also added, “My disappointment and demand for accountability in these and any other matter brought to my attention will remain until all the questions are answered to the satisfaction of all.”
ABC News reported the detectives are also being investigated for their handling of 53-year-old Brenda Lee Rawls, who was found dead and alone in her home on Dec. 12–the same day as Lauren Smith-Fields.
Rawls’ cause of death is still pending, NBC News reports.
On Dec. 12, 2021, the Black Tik Tok influencer was found dead in her Bridgeport, Conn. home after going out on a date with a white man from the dating app Bumble. The unidentified man, who was the last person to see Smith-Fields alive, reportedly called 911 “after realizing her nose was bleeding and she had stopped breathing, according to the incident report.”
PEOPLE reported on Jan. 25 that the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found that Smith-Fields died of "acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, promethazine, hydroxyzine, and alcohol."
Authorities originally said there was no foul play in the death of 23-year-old Lauren Smith-Fields. However, by Jan. 23, according to CNN, officials stated the department's narcotics and vice division had opened an investigation, which will be assisted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Acting police Chief Rebeca Garcia said in a statement police are focusing on "the factors that led to her untimely death.”
Smith-Fields' mother, Shantell Fields, told WNBC back on Jan. 21 that the police were not taking her daughter’s death seriously, "They wanted us to forget about our daughter, their sister, our loved one. They thought they were just going to throw her away like she was garbage, like she wasn't important, like she didn't have family members who loved her. We're fighting for her."
Smith-Fields' brother, Lakeem Jetter, alleged authorities didn’t even contact the family after finding Lauren’s body and did not collect certain evidence, including a sedative pill and used condom from her apartment.
"I feel like because he's a white guy and she's a Black girl, they're just throwing it under the rug," he said, while alleging police told his family they wouldn't be investigating the white man, saying "he seemed like a nice guy."
Since news of Smith-Fields’ death has been made public, a GoFundMe campaign is now live to help the family with legal fees.
