MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — Connecticut state police are investigating a man's death four days after a state trooper shot him with a stun gun, authorities said Friday.
Ryan Marzi, 38, of Hebron, died unexpectedly in his sleep on Aug. 28, according to an obituary prepared by his family. A memorial service was scheduled for Friday afternoon.
On the night of Aug. 24, state police said they responded to a reported domestic assault at a home in Canterbury. The victim told troopers that Marzi prevented the victim from leaving the home and damaged the victim's cell phone.
A second trooper who arrived at the scene saw the first trooper lying injured on the ground after an apparent struggle, state police said. One of the troopers then shot Marzi with a stun gun when he did not comply with verbal commands and advanced toward the troopers, state police said.
Marzi was taken to a hospital for an evaluation and discharged into the custody of state police, who charged him with assault, disorderly conduct, interfering with an officer and interfering with a 911 call. He posted $7,500 bail.
Court records do not list a lawyer for Marzi. The public defender's office in Danielson said it represented him only for his arraignment the day after his arrest, but was no longer involved in the case. The office declined further comment.
Family members reported finding Marzi apparently dead in a home in Hebron on the morning of Aug. 28. The medical examiner's office performed an autopsy and is awaiting blood and other test results to determine the cause of death.
State police say they notified state prosecutors and the inspector general's office, which investigates deadly use of force by police officers statewide.
Inspector General Robert Devlin Jr. said in a statement that his office is monitoring the state police investigation and awaiting final autopsy results.
State police have not released the names of the troopers who responded to the reported assault.
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