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Death of woman found inside burnt car in Bridgeport ruled a suicide

The department received numerous 911 calls regarding a car on fire at the entrance to Elton Rogers Woodland Park on Frenchtown Road.

News 12 Staff

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Sep 4, 2026, 10:33 PM

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The death of a woman found inside a burned car Thursday in Bridgeport was ruled a suicide, according to the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

The medical examiner used dental records to determine that the victim was a 59-year-old mother from Trumbull.

The Bridgeport Police Department is withholding the woman's identity.

The department received numerous 911 calls just before 11 a.m. regarding a car on fire at the entrance to Elton Rogers Woodland Park on Frenchtown Road.

Neighbor Jillian Audette, a senior at nearby Sacred Heart University, said her roommate called to say she heard an explosion late Thursday morning.

"She said it sounded muffled but loud - and when I drove up moments later, I saw a big fire," Audette said.

Audette told News 12 that neighbors initially were worried about someone being hurt.

“We were hoping that no one was harmed,” she said. “That’s really sad.”

While putting out the fire, Bridgeport firefighters found the body burned beyond recognition in the driver's seat.

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Thursday's reporting by News 12's Frank Recchia

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