Darien Police Chief Issues Statement On Scott Hapgood Case

DARIEN, CT — In light of Scott Hapgood's decision on Monday not to return to the Caribbean island of Anguilla where he faces a manslaughter charge, Darien Police Chief Don Anderson has issued a statement that the department will the situation from a local public safety standpoint.

Hapgood, a Darien resident, has received death threats since the April incident for which he has been charged, and his legal team could not obtain the assurances of Anguillan authorities that he would be protected if he had appeared in court on the island on Nov. 11 as scheduled.

"The Darien Police Department, as always, looks to provide an effective public safety response and to ensure that the rights to safety and security, afforded to all residents and guests of the Town of Darien, are protected should our services be required," Anderson said. "Our staff is aware of these latest developments in this matter and we will continue to provide reasonable, professional patrol (both general and focused) and effective response to ensure public safety."

Below is the text of Anderson's statement:

The Darien, CT Police Department has been advised that Scott Hapgood, a Darien, CT resident
charged with manslaughter on the island of Anguilla, was scheduled to return to the island today,
November 11, 2019, for a court appearance.

We have been further advised that Mr. Hapgood, in consultation with his legal advisers, has
made the decision to not return to Anguilla at this time amid reported concerns for his personal
safety.

The Darien Police Department has no direct involvement in these ongoing proceedings which
have attracted national and international media attention during the year. The Darien Police
Department, as always, looks to provide an effective public safety response and to ensure that the
rights to safety and security, afforded to all residents and guests of the Town of Darien, are
protected should our services be required. Our staff is aware of these latest developments in this
matter and we will continue to provide reasonable, professional patrol (both general and focused)
and effective response to ensure public safety.

Going forward, it appears that these ongoing criminal matters will most likely be handled at the
United States Department of State level as it involves international criminal charges and a citizen
of the United States and the State of Connecticut.

The Darien, CT Police Department will have no further comment on this matter at this time.