The Waterbury Times|Published Nov 15, 2025
Updated July 30, 2026
UPDATE: The family of Alyssa Insogna has filed a lawsuit against the City of Waterbury following her death while in police custody in May 2025. This update follows The Waterbury Times’ original reporting on the case.
Civil action follows previous investigations into her 2025 death while in police custody
WATERBURY — The family of Alyssa Insogna has filed a lawsuit against the City of Waterbury following her death while in police custody in May 2025.
Insogna, 29, died while being held at the Waterbury Police Department after being arrested the previous evening.
The lawsuit comes months after the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General released its findings into Insogna’s death.
Second Woman Dies Following Medical Emergency in Waterbury Police Custody Within 1 Year
The Inspector General’s investigation determined that Insogna’s death was accidental and found that she was not monitored in accordance with Waterbury Police Department procedures requiring regular physical cell checks.
The newly filed civil lawsuit alleges that failures in the handling and monitoring of Insogna while she was in custody contributed to her death.
The case now moves into the civil court process, where the allegations will be addressed.
The City of Waterbury has not commented on the lawsuit.
The death of Alyssa Insogna was first reported by The Waterbury Times in 2025 and became one of the most-read stories in the publication’s history.
The Waterbury Times will continue following developments in this case.
Update: Feb 2026
Waterbury- State Inspector General Eliot Prescott concluded that Alyssa Insogna, 29, likely smuggled drugs into the police department and consumed them at approximately 6:30 a.m. on May 10, 2025. Surveillance footage showed Insogna moving inside her holding cell at 9:34 a.m. after what investigators described as a fitful night.
An employee later left food outside the cell at noon while Insogna remained motionless. At 2:23 p.m., another employee entered the cell and found her unresponsive, according to the investigation report. Less than an hour later, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pronounced Insogna dead.
The medical examiner determined Insogna died from acute intoxication due to the combined effects of cocaine and fentanyl and ruled the death accidental. Prescott noted that Insogna’s body showed signs of lividity and rigor mortis at the time she was discovered.
“Her death was accidental and not the result of use of force or criminal action,” Prescott said. “It is troubling, however, that from 9:34 a.m. on she remained motionless on the cell bench with no medical intervention. This was due to the inattention of the matron, whose sole responsibility was to monitor Insogna.”
Prescott stated that no further action will be taken in the case.
What Happened to Alyssa? Unexplained Death of Woman in Waterbury Police Custody Raises Broader Concerns
Original Reporting- Nov 15, 2025
Nearly six months after Alyssa Insogna died in custody at the Waterbury Police Department, the cause of her death remains undetermined. The Office of the Inspector General continues to investigate, while the community awaits answers about detainee safety and police procedures.
WATERBURY, Conn. – Nearly six months after 29-year-old Alyssa Insogna died in custody at the Waterbury Police Department, the circumstances surrounding her death remain under investigation, and the community continues to seek answers.
Insogna was arrested on May 9, 2025, near an abandoned house on Willow Street. Officers reportedly recovered multiple folds of heroin and fentanyl during a search. She also had outstanding warrants and was unable to post bond, with a court appearance scheduled for May 12, 2025.
According to reports from the Office of the Inspector General, Insogna was observed awake in her cell at 9:15 a.m. on May 10. A later check at noon indicated she appeared to be sleeping, and she was found unresponsive at 2:23 p.m., pronounced dead shortly after at 2:53 p.m.
An autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted on May 11 listed the cause of death as undetermined, pending toxicology results. Nearly six months later, the toxicology results and final conclusions have not yet been publicly released.
The Office of Inspector General continues to investigate the circumstances of Insogna’s death. Community members, local advocates, and public watchdog groups have called for greater transparency regarding detainee welfare and the handling of medical emergencies at the Waterbury Police Department.
City officials and law enforcement representatives have stated they are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, questions remain:
- What was the exact cause of Alyssa Insogna’s death?
- Were proper medical and safety protocols followed during her detention?
- What reforms are being implemented to prevent similar tragedies in the future?
The Waterbury Times will continue to closely monitor this case, reporting updates on toxicology findings, official statements from the Inspector General, and any city or police department policy changes.
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