Madison Woman, 33, ID'd As Person Who Died In Police Custody, State Law Enforcement Investigating

EAST HAVEN, CT — A 33-year-old Madison woman was identified as the person who died last Friday while in East Haven police custody.

Margaret Walker suffered a "medical event" while in the police jail, and though "officers immediately requested emergency medical assistance and rendered aid," police said, she was "subsequently pronounced deceased."

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Walker's death is being investigated by the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the cause of death is pending further study, and the manner of death is pending investigation.

Original story:

Last Thursday night [April 16], cops were called to the Main Street McDonald's for a report of two women in the restaurant who appeared to be impaired or unresponsive while using a self-service kiosk.

Police said the women both initially provided false names and dates of birth. Once confirming her identity, one woman was taken into custody by police on an outstanding arrest warrant, police spokesperson Capt. Joseph M. Murgo said.

On Friday morning, she was taken to court for arraignment, and while there, "reported a medical concern and was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital for evaluation," he said.

The woman was later discharged and returned to police custody, Murgo said.

"Later that evening, while being held in a holding cell at the East Haven Police Department, the individual suffered a medical event," Murgo said.

"Officers immediately requested emergency medical assistance and rendered aid," he said, but she was "subsequently pronounced deceased."

"Immediately following this incident, the East Haven Police Department made all required notifications, including to the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General and the individual’s next of kin," Murgo said.

"The Department delayed issuing a public statement to ensure that the individual’s family was notified and that the information released was accurate and consistent with the ongoing investigative process," Murgo said.

Pursuant to Connecticut law, the circumstances surrounding this death are under investigation by the Connecticut Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police Major Crime Squad, the police captain said.