Christopher Root
Christopher Root, 29, of Old Saybrook, died on March 12, 2026, at MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, Connecticut. According to the Hartford Courant and Audacy, his cellmate alerted staff around 12:30 a.m., and he was pronounced dead at 1:18 a.m. The Connecticut Department of Correction said the state police and its Security Division were investigating the death. The medical examiner's office later ruled it accidental and attributed it to an overdose of fentanyl and alcohol, while CT Mirror reported that antidepressants were also involved.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose. The medical examiner ruled the death accidental, an overdose of fentanyl and alcohol, and one report adds antidepressants.
Reported by: medical examiner or coroner; news reporting on the death.
Sources (9)
- Correction Dept. Investigating After Suspect Dies In Custody
- Inmate dies in cell at correctional facility in Suffield, DOC says
- Death of prisoner at CT correctional facility under investigation
- MacDougall-Walker CI death under investigation
- 'Very Troubled' Pol Seeks Answers After Prison Death
- CT prisons report 10th death in custody so far this year
- Another Prisoner Dies, This Time In New Haven
- Officials: New Haven Man Died After Being Found In Cell With Sheet Around Neck
- 13th Person Dies in DOC Custody This Year