Cause of death released in Hebron case

Man died of pulmonary embolism after struggle with state troopers in August

A Hebron man who was found unresponsive four days after a police struggle in August died from a pulmonary embolism related to a leg injury sustained in the incident, according to a preliminary report from the Office of the Inspector General.

Inspector General Robert Devlin released an update in an investigation into the use of force by two state troopers in an attempt to subdue 38-year-old Ryan Marzi after a domestic incident in

August.

Troopers responded to a residence on Westminster Road in Canterbury around 10 p.m. Aug. 24 for a complaint of domestic violence. Trooper Desmond Stimson and Marzi were involved in a physical altercation in the driveway of the home while Stimson was trying to arrest Marzi, according to dashboard camera footage released in the report.

During the altercation, Trooper Jessie Rainville deployed a Taser to subdue Marzi. Marzi was tased for over a minute in total and over 20 seconds after Marzi began pleading for her to stop. Stimson could be heard on released audio telling Rainville to stop after Marzi told them he could not turn over and put his hands behind his back, according to the report.

Stimson and Marzi were both injured in the altercation, with Marzi sustaining an injury to his left leg, the report said.

Marzi was taken to Backus Hospital where he was treated and released. He was arrested on several family violence charges and later released on a $7,500 bond, the report said.

On the morning of Aug. 28 around 10:30 a.m., Marzi’s father found him unresponsive at his home in Hebron, the report said. He was later pronounced dead. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner performed an autopsy. On Wednesday the OCME reported that Marzi died from a pulmonary embolism related to the leg injury he sustained in the struggle with Stimson.

The Office of the Inspector General is investigating Marzi’s death alongside the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Connecticut State Police Western District Major Crime Squad and the Windham Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office.