The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined a Stamford mom who died six months ago had sustained a blunt impact injury to the head.

The medical examiner says an autopsy has determined Iris Lopez's cause of death is blunt impact injury of the head with a brain bleed. But the medical examiner couldn't determine how she died.

It comes as Lopez's husband appeared in court Monday in connection with the case.

Hector Lopez is accused of withholding medical care by refusing to call 911 when she was "in distress" and "unresponsive." Lopez wasn't brought to the hospital until several hours after she became unresponsive.

 

Hector Lopez is charged with cruelty to persons. He is currently out on bond and required to wear an ankle monitor.

Iris Lopez died nearly six months ago at Stamford Hospital. Doctors diagnosed her with a massive brain bleed and said she had dozens of bruises all over her body.

Her family packed the courtroom Monday wearing "Justice for Iris" shirts. Her sister told News 12 the family knows police are continuing to work hard on the case. Police reiterated that, saying this case is being investigated "tirelessly."

Still, the family says Lopez's death was a homicide and not an accident. They believe police will rule it a homicide soon.

Police are scheduled to meet with the medical examiner's office in the next few days.

Hector Lopez's lawyer had no comment following Monday's hearing. He is due back in court next month. Hector Lopez showed up in court with a few family members, including his mother, Mercedes Collazo Martinez, who is also charged with cruelty to persons in the case.

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