Wife ingests antifreeze before husband’s slaying sentencing: Officials

An investigation revealed that a Connecticut woman found dead just hours before her sentencing for her husband’s murder died by suicide after ingesting antifreeze. Authorities confirmed on Monday that Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi, 76, took her life before facing the court for her actions.

On July 24, state troopers responded to a distress call regarding Kosuda-Bigazzi when an individual was unable to reach her at her home. Upon arrival, they discovered her deceased inside the residence.

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that her cause of death was due to ethylene glycol toxicity, which is consistent with antifreeze ingestion.

Kosuda-Bigazzi had previously pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in March for killing her husband, 84-year-old Pierluigi Bigazzi, back in 2017. This revelation has drawn significant attention, as the couple’s case has unfolded over several years.

Authorities reported that the husband, a doctor at the University of Connecticut Health, was found dead in the basement of their Burlington home. The discovery followed a welfare check request from his employer, who had not heard from him in months.

In addition to the manslaughter charge, Kosuda-Bigazzi also pleaded guilty to first-degree larceny. Investigators uncovered that she had been receiving her husband’s paychecks after his death, depositing funds from his employer into their joint account from July 2017 until his body was found in February 2018.

As part of a plea agreement, Kosuda-Bigazzi was facing a sentence of 13 years in prison. Her sentencing hearing was set for 2 p.m. on the day of her death, which adds a tragic layer to this already complex case.

Her attorney, Patrick Tomasiewicz, expressed his sorrow regarding the situation. He stated, “We were honored to be her legal counsel and did our very best to defend her in a complex case for the past six years. She was a very independent woman who was always in control of her own destiny.”

Prior to her death, Kosuda-Bigazzi had been free on bail amounting to more than $1.5 million while awaiting her sentencing. The circumstances surrounding her husband’s death were classified as a homicide, primarily due to blunt force trauma to the head.

In court documents, handwritten notes were uncovered in which Kosuda-Bigazzi claimed she had acted in self-defense during the incident that led to her husband’s death. These assertions added further complications to a case that had already attracted a considerable amount of public and media attention.

The Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice has been approached for further statements regarding the ongoing case, reflecting the continual interest and sensitivity around this tragic story.

The community has reacted strongly to this incident, with many expressing shock at the grim turn of events. The loss of life, both of Kosuda-Bigazzi and her husband, raises profound questions about mental health and the impact of such profound legal and personal struggles.

For anyone grappling with thoughts of suicide or concern for someone who might be, it is crucial to reach out for help. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available to provide free, confidential support 24/7 by calling or texting 988.

Source: ABC News