Press Releases
2019 Accidental Drug Intoxications - 2/14/20
The fatal accidental drug intoxication totals for 2019 and the spreadsheet of deaths by town is on our website: https://portal.ct.gov/OCME
The total number of accidental intoxication deaths in 2019 has increased 18% compared to 2018. There continues to be an increase in deaths with fentanyl (29% increase) and cocaine (34%). Fentanyl continues to be the most common drug detected and has increased by 26% since 2018. Overall, 94% of the accidental intoxication deaths involved an opioid. Of the deaths with cocaine, 85% also involved fentanyl.
The ages ranged from 17 to 74 years old (average 43) for deaths involving illicit opioids.
Xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer, was detected in 71 fentanyl deaths. This is likely being added locally as an adulterant.
Circus Press Release - 2/10/20
The anthropology examination and dental comparisons of the remains of the unidentified circus fire victims have excluded Grace Dorothy (Smith) Fifield as either of the two exhumed remains. Mitochondrial DNA testing was successfully performed at the Connecticut Division of Scientific Services but the results have not, at this point, allowed for any further identifications. With the assistance of the DNA Doe Project, attempts at nuclear DNA extraction have begun. If nuclear DNA is recovered, an ancestry investigation will be done. This is anticipated to take several months.
Most likely, the remains of Grace Dorothy (Smith) Fifield were originally misidentified and released to the wrong next-of-kin. If the two exhumed women can be identified, it may help find what happened to Grace Dorothy (Smith) Fifield.
Anthropological examinations of the two exhumed remains determined:
One set of remains is consistent with a 25-45 year old African (Black) woman who stood approximately 5'7".
One set of remains is consistent with a 20-50 year old European (White) woman who stood approximately 5'4".
Circus Press Release - 10/7/19
The OCME in conjunction with the Hartford Police Department successfully exhumed the remains of two of the unidentified circus fire victims. Both skeletonized remains were contained in buried cement vaults. The next steps include dental and anthropological evaluation of the remains followed by DNA testing. The DNA testing is expected to take weeks to months depending on the condition of the DNA. We hope this work will help put names to these victims for the benefit of their next of kin.
Circus Press Release - 10/4/19
The exhumation will be on 10/7/2019 @ Northwood Cemetery @ 8:00 a.m.
Circus Press Release - 9/17/19:
When the date of the exhumation of the circus fire remains is determined, it will be posted here.
The location is the Northwood Cemetery (Bina Avenue in Windsor).