Several people have written to Jim Gill, Connecticut’s Chief Medical Examiner, about his finding in the death of Westporter Tracy Do last week. He says:
I have received many letters from concerned Westport residents and friends of Tracy Do and her daughter, Layla about their deaths. I have read them all but am unable to respond personally to each of them. I will answer your concerns as best as I can and share this letter with all who wrote to me.
The medical examiner’s office is only allowed to release to the public what is on the death certificate. I am unable to go into details or explain the findings that resulted in these conclusions.
Even though they are no longer with us, Tracy and Layla deserve some privacy, as do the living members of their family. We of course can speak to families, answer all their questions, and review all findings with them. We cannot do this for the general public.
I understand that this is a shock to your community, and it is unfathomable how such a tragedy could happen. Unfortunately, it does happen. There was a thorough investigation that involved the Westport Police and the State Police Major Crime Squad who spent all night and part of the next day processing the scene. As in all homicides and suspected homicides, a full homicide investigation including postmortem examinations were conducted.
There was compelling evidence that led to the final determinations. I understand that many of you have concerns and suspicions. As my former chief would remind me, suspicions are not evidence. There is abundant evidence that substantiates these sorrowful determinations. No one in law enforcement or in the medical examiner’s office would want to miss a double homicide. This is why such thorough investigations are done.
I suspect my letter will give you little solace and may even raise more questions. Unfortunately, this is all that I say. For all of their friends and acquaintances who wrote me, you have my deepest condolences for your loss.
The letter from the Medical Examiner treated Dan Woog’s posting, and those who were worried about what happened in the exact right tone! The Medical Examiner didn’t go negative, but seemed understanding.
The ME could have gotten defensive, but didn’t! Kudos to the measured response.
A reasoned response that an experienced “domestic violence advocate” should have expected from the ME.
Now the question is: Will anyone be forthcoming with apologies to 1) the ME for questioning their competence or integrity, 2) the Westport PD and state Major Crimes Unit for, at a minimum, implying complicity with the ME, if not directly questioning their competence or integrity and, importantly, 3) unnamed others for implying, without a whit of evidence, they were perpetrators of domestic violence and/or murderers?
Not that anything ever really disappears from the internet but perhaps the original post and comments should be deleted.
Or does the “domestic violence advocate” think this is just a cover up based on their expert experience and we should all go full January 6th and storm the ME’s office with torches and pitchforks?
The ME answered from a place of empathy knowing we are a community trying to process and are grieving. Hopefully we can extend the same to each other given the loss to our community and to help heal.
I’m not a regular reader of your blog but what an absolute spectacle you’ve created with these posts encourging people to put their noses where they don’t belong. How horrifying for any friends or family affected by this tragedy to be reading them! You’d do best to remove it.
“Suspicions do not equal evidence.”
Here is a phrase to help treat our conspiracy theory addicted society.
If anyone believes there is some “deep state” coverup going on in any part of our government they should offer evidence in court, not just throw cheap shade in the media. And we should be strong and smart enough to demand a higher standard of proof than anecdotal accusations from “people who know about these things.”
Professional “white glove” response given: 1) the CME should never have been bombarded in the first place, and 2) had no obligation to reply.
If someone needs a good “make your blood boil” conspiracy theory that focuses on collusion and corruption, watch Making a Murderer, but please don’t get any ideas and become an “armchair quarterback”
Robert, I have two words for you- First Amendment! Even if you personally think what was written was in bad taste, it can be written and is protected speech!
;;;;but there is no obligation to publish it.
I don’t think and of Tracy Do’s friends and neighbors, as well as others who work in the field of domestic violence were implying any cover-up. It is people trying to make sense of a horrible situation, and based on the highly unusual method of choice for a woman to make to kill herself, it just didn’t seem so clear. It was a very quick turnaround from the ME, which just left some worry and concern that god forbid if something was missed, a killer could still be at large. Our entire community is in shock and grieving. Attackin one another is not helpful. We need to be kind to each other.
Dick.. but there is no obligation to remove it as was suggested Dan do…
Dick.. The Medical Examiner didn’t even ask that the posting be removed. So if the person who the original e-mail was directed at didn’t ask for its removal, why would that even be considered? You guys are bumping up against a First Amendment issue! I’m actually a bit surprised someone even asked that the posting be taken down. I’ve never seen that on 06880.
Taking down the post has nothing to do with the First Amendment. Dan can indeed post anything he wants. Even libelous items if he wants to run that risk. However, it has everything to do with simple common decency.
Jack, don’t you ever get tired of carrying Dan’s water?
Like I said, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone asking Dan to remove a posting. A few of you think the posting should be removed out of ‘ common decency.” Others think his posting was within bounds and appropriate. It’s 2:00 am and I’m going to bed. This is my last comment on this posting. By the way, I’m 74 today, so be “decent” and wish me a Happy Birthday! I like to keep fit by jogging and carrying Dan’s water.
Don’t believe a word from the police.