New Canaan's Silver Hill Hospital Sued Over Past Patient's Death

NEW CANAAN, CT — The estate of Leo J. Civitillo, a former patient of Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, has sued the psychiatric facility claiming that the former investment banker's suicide was due to failures by members of the staff.

In the lawsuit filed in late October, Civitillo was admitted to the hospital on Jan. 22, 2018, for "anxiety, depression, psychosis with delusional thinking, and following a recent suicide attempt."

Less than a month later, he was dead in the hospital from an overdose of malaria pills, which the Hartford Courant writes Civitillo obtained by ordering them online from England and having sent to a former banking colleague. The medical examiner's report ruled the death a suicide brought on by acute chloroquine intoxication.

Chloroquine, which is a substance found in malaria pills, can be dangerous when taken in high doses.

While under the hospital's care, Civitillo had access to a cell phone and tablet, which he should not have, the estate's attorneys argue. Additionally, the staff failed to recognize he was a suicide risk, and at least one bed check was not properly performed, which the attorneys claim contributed to his death.

On Civitillo's iPad it appeared that he wrote his own obituary and had researched suicide methods and autopsies, according to the lawsuit.

Silver Hill Hospital "failed to have and/or follow policies and/or procedures designed to ensure that patients at risk for suicide, including LEO J. CIVITILLO, received appropriate observation and/or care and/or interventions to protect from self-harm and suicide," the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit is seeking an unspecified amount in damages above $15,000.