An “06880” reader writes:
I am a domestic violence advocate. I have worked for many years with women nationwide who are in abusive situations and custody battles. I am also very familiar with Connecticut Protective Moms, a non-profit working with Connecticut Family on all forms of domestic violence, including physical, coercive control, emotional, verbal, financial and legal abuse.
My training, intuition and experience tell me that the incident last week in Westport — despite the medical examiner’s ruling — was not suicide.
I have heard from many moms in the state. They also question this declaration by the medical examiner.
I can’t think of any woman who would choose to commit suicide in the manner cited by the medical examiner: “sharp injuries of torso and extremities.”
Women typically commit suicide by overdosing, slitting their wrists, drowning or hanging. Violent suicides are much more likely for men than women.
She did not have a motive. While she had chosen to leave her ex-husband, and had filed for financial support, there had been no ruling against her. Therefore she would still have had hope.
From accounts of her friends, she was a loving mother.
I plan to call the medical examiner to find out why he made this determination. I hope others will as well (jgill@ocme.org). If his office receives several inquiries, they may look further into this rather than consider it closed.
The state medical examiner ruled last week’s death on Lyndale Park a suicide. An “06880” reader is not so sure.
