Tim Yergeau Suicide, Death – Officials claimed that investigators are examining into the city police department’s failed child pornography raid last week at the apartment building of Long Wharf Theatre staffer Tim Yergeau, who died by suicide on Tuesday. “The person who died was definitely the suspect in a child pornography investigation and the person who committed suicide,” said New Haven Police Chief Karl Jacobson on Wednesday to Hearst Connecticut Media Group.
After members of the Special Victims Unit investigating the child pornography case smashed down the door of Yergeau’s neighbor and handcuffed her before realizing they had stormed the wrong apartment, the chief has sought an internal affairs probe. “They obviously hit the wrong door,” Jacobson observed. The internal affairs probe will also look into how Yergeau ended up killing himself five days later, according to the chief. “Unfortunately, a mistake was made,” Jacobson admitted.
“We feel for the woman, and we’re going to do everything we can to make it right.” “The investigation is part of my commitment to holding my department accountable and transparent,” he added. Jacobson, who stated that he intends to contact the woman, refused to confirm that Yergeau was the suspect in the child pornography probe. Yergeau’s neighbor and the state Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, however, both confirmed his death on Tuesday morning.
The medical examiner also determined that Yergeau committed suicide. According to the Long Wharf Theatre’s website, Yergeau was appointed as marketing and communications director in August 2022. “We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn the developments of the last 24 hours,” a theater representative stated in an email on Wednesday. “Given the difficult news, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Yergeau previously worked for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and the New Haven Free Public Library Foundation, according to the Long Wharf Theatre website. According to Jacobson, there are two ongoing investigations into the situation, and police will not publicize the search warrant application or information regarding what was discovered in Yergeau’s flat until they are convinced no one else is engaged in the case. The state could also decide whether to release the warrant or not.