A Bridgeport family says they are not getting the answers they want from police after their 23-year-old daughter was found dead inside her apartment.
Lauren Smith-Fields was found unresponsive inside her Plymouth Street apartment on Dec. 12 and later died.
Smith-Fields' family says their daughter was a track star at Stamford High School who was currently enrolled at Norwalk Community College for cosmetology.
They say the hardworking young woman had her own side business to fund her education.
The medical examiner has not released the cause of death, and investigators are not commenting.
"Without a doubt we know that my daughter was not a drug user, and I had a second autopsy myself paid out of pocket because we felt so uncomfortable with the way it was handled," said Everett
Family says Smith-Fields met an "older white man" on Bumble and it was he who alerted police to her death.
Lakeem Jetter, her brother, says he asked authorities about the man but was told he was a nice guy with no need to be investigated.
Smith-Fields father says the only contact they've had with police is with a "very insensitive, condescending and arrogant detective."
Councilwoman Maria Pereira says police owe Smith-Fields' mom an apology.
"She sent a really well-written email - it was lengthy, it was extensive, it was very detailed - and I was shocked when she told me just yesterday she had not even received a response," said Pereira.
The City of Bridgeport issued a statement about the investigation saying, "The Bridgeport Police Department takes these concerns very seriously. The Command Staff of the Detective Bureau is reviewing the handling of this case to ensure that best practices were and are being followed. It is imperative to note that the death of Lauren Smith-Fields remains an ongoing investigation. Our department extends its deepest condolences to the family of Lauren."
