Monroe Man and New Fairfield Woman Dead Because of Suspected Accidental Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A Monroe man and a New Fairfield woman are dead and police believe they died as a result of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, New Haven police said in a press release.

At 10:06 AM, New Haven Police Officer Arpad Tolnay was making his routine morning check of the parking garage at 200 Orchard Street in New Haven, police said.

He spotted a black VW Jetta parked on the first level and saw its engine was running. When he approached the car, he saw two people inside. Tolnay opened the door and was overwhelmed with the smell of exhaust, police said.

Michael Longo Jr, 28, of Monroe, was in the front seat and Amy Nicole Nickerson, 20, of New Fairfield, was in the rear seat. EMTs were summoned. Neither could be revived, police said.

Police contacted the state office of the Chief Medical Examiner and requested a death investigator respond to the scene. At this time it appears the deaths were accidental - most likely the result of carbon monoxide poisoning, police said. There were no signs of trauma to either, police said.

Detectives investigating the case discovered a blown out tire and a damaged line that connected the engine to the exhaust system, police said.

Detectives are awaiting the final report from the Medical Examiner’s office.