Ms Smith-Fields’ mother, Shantell Fields, said she only learned of her daughter’s death a day and a half later, on the evening of December 13 – and that the police did not find out not informed either.

Instead, Ms Fields said, it was her daughter’s landlord who put her family in touch with Detective Cronin, who gave some details over the phone and hung up on a subsequent call.

“My son spoke to her and asked her what happened, and Cronin said she met a white guy on Bumble, ‘but don’t worry about that, he’s a really nice guy'” , Ms. Fields said.

Detective Cronin said he would meet Ms Fields and her son at Ms Smith-Fields’ flat, Ms Fields said. They waited for over an hour and a half, and when they called him back, Detective Cronin told them to stop calling, Ms Fields recalled. She then had to beg the police to collect evidence from the scene, according to her lawyer.

Bridgeport City Council member Maria Pereira said she was stunned by the families’ stories and the apparent slow response from city leaders.

“We have two black families,” Ms. Pereira said. “I don’t even know where to start about how you don’t contact families. You have their wallets, their cell phones. What? This is outrageous behavior.”

Ms Washington said she was unmoved by the mayor’s announcement about the suspensions. “The suspension is the suspension, it really doesn’t do anything for us,” she said. “All those involved must be held accountable.”

Kirsten Noyes contributed to the research.