In a shocking turn of events, Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi, 76, was found dead in her Burlington, Connecticut home just hours before her scheduled sentencing for the manslaughter of her husband, Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi. Now, the cause of death has been revealed.
Tragic End to a Shocking Case
Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi’s death marks the final chapter in a case that has captivated Connecticut residents for years. The 76-year-old woman was scheduled to be sentenced at 2 p.m. on July 24, 2024, for the first-degree manslaughter of her husband, Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi, a University of Connecticut Health professor. However, authorities were called to her home when an individual reported being unable to contact her.
Connecticut State Police, accompanied by local firefighters, forced entry into Kosuda-Bigazzi’s residence after attempts to initiate contact were unsuccessful. They discovered her unresponsive body inside, and she was pronounced dead at the scene. On August 12, news outlets reported that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death as ethylene glycol toxicity, a substance commonly found in antifreeze.
The Crime and Its Discovery
The case began unfolding on February 5, 2018, when police were called to conduct a welfare check on Dr. Bigazzi. His employer had grown concerned after not hearing from him for several months. Upon entering the couple’s home, authorities made a disturbing discovery: Dr. Bigazzi’s remains were found wrapped in plastic trash bags and duct tape in the basement.
According to a news release, “An investigation showed paychecks from the victim’s employer continued to be deposited into the couple’s joint checking account from the time of his death, which authorities believe to be sometime in July 2017, until his body was discovered in early February 2018.”
Prosecutors believe Kosuda-Bigazzi killed her husband around July 2017 and continued to collect his paychecks for months. The crime scene revealed traces of blood on the kitchen floor, ceiling, and cabinets, painting a grim picture of the events that transpired.
Legal Proceedings and Plea Deal
The case had been pending for six years and was expected to go to trial before a plea deal was reached. In March 2024, Kosuda-Bigazzi pleaded guilty to manslaughter and larceny charges. As part of the agreement, she was to be sentenced to 13 years in prison for her husband’s death.
Interestingly, Kosuda-Bigazzi reportedly wrote in a journal that she had killed her husband with a hammer in self-defense during a fight. However, the circumstances surrounding Dr. Bigazzi’s death and the subsequent concealment of his body raised questions about this claim.
A Tragic Conclusion
The sudden death of Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi just hours before her sentencing brings a somber and unexpected end to this tragic case. Her decision to take her own life using ethylene glycol, underscores the complex and emotionally charged nature of this case.
As the community grapples with this final twist in an already shocking story, questions remain about the events that led to Dr. Bigazzi’s death and the subsequent actions of his wife. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of mental health awareness and support.
Sources
- Conn. Woman Who Confessed to Killing Husband Died by Suicide Hours Before Sentencing
- Woman found dead hours before sentencing for killing husband died by suicide, medical examiner says
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