Investigation of a Drug Overdose

[outsidethelaw]

My question involves police conduct in the State of: Ct
My brother was found deceased at his home by his significant other. I have since found out that there was a delay from the time he was found until the time emergency personel were called. He was already dead when found. It took 5 hours before the significant other called his family but had called a friend to come to the house before calling 911 (the reason for the delay) I also have learned that he tried overdosing before and was not sent to the Er at that time. Instead his Significant other made him throw up. No family was made aware of this either until a month ago when he was discovered. Since he was not legally married, should the next of kin been notified by the investigators? I also suspect that his significant other stated that she was his wife and I also suspect that she knew he had taken pills and was taking the wait and see approach which backfired and he did not make it. A couple questions. Are siblings allowed to get records of the investigation and ask questions pertaining to the investigation to find out what actually happened? And if it is found that there were some false statements made during the investigation on her part or that she withheld information is she held accountable for the false reporting? (such as not telling the police he tried taking pills before and that she was married in order to block the family from being called)

[PTPD22]

You can certainly contact the investigating agency and request a copy of the police report. Unless there is still an active, ongoing investigation, it is public information. However, there may be a small fee for obtaining a copy.

Whether or not your brother’s significant other can be held criminally liable for failure to take appropriate actions, false statements, and/or omissions depends on several factors. If you find from the report that she did so, you should certainly let the lead investigator know. However, whether any criminal charges are appropriate will be a decision by the investigator.