On July 5, Stamford Police Department arrested Mercedes Martinez and Hector L. Lopez on charges stemming from the death of Olga “Iris” Lopez on November 27, 2018.
On November 26, 2018, Stamford Police responded to 80 Pequot Drive on a report of a possible overdose.
The initial investigation revealed that Olga “Iris” Lopez was unconscious in her apartment on November 26, 2018 and both her husband, Hector L. Lopez and his mother Mercedes Martinez, both of whom resided with the victim, were aware of her condition and failed to provide emergency care.
Lopez and Martinez were both arrested and charged with Cruelty to Persons.
Following that arrest the Stamford Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations Major Crimes Unit, The Office of Chief Medical Examiner and the Connecticut State’s Attorney Office continued to work tirelessly on this case.
Based on months of investigation evidence has been developed to substantiate that the failure to provide emergency medical care to Olga “Iris” Lopez directly led to her death.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Ms. Lopez sustained a blunt impact injury to the head, News 12 reported.
Mercedes Martinez, age 60, of 41 Virgil Street, Stamford was charged with Manslaughter 1, Risk of Injury to a Minor (3 counts), Tampering with Evidence and Hindering Prosecution 2.
She is being held on a $1,000,000 court set bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 8, 2019.
Hector L. Lopez, age 43, of 41 Virgil Street in Stamford was charged Manslaughter 1, Rick of Injury to a Minor (3 counts) and Criminal Attempt at Tampering with a Witness (2 counts). He is being held on a $1,000,000 court set bond and is scheduled to appear in court on July 8, 2019.
“It is our hope that these arrests give some sense of closure to a grieving family,” Stamford Police wrote on Facebook. “We are very proud of the efforts of Stamford Police Investigators Officer Damien Rosa, Louis Burdi, Jerry Junes and Sgt. Sean Boeger in tirelessly investigating this case and we are thankful for all the help and guidance from State’s Attorney Richard Colangelo and Assist State’s Attorney Paul Ferencek.”