Connecticut Woman Found Dead Hours Before Sentencing in Husband's Murder Case

A 76-year-old woman from Burlington, Connecticut, was found deceased at her residence on Wednesday morning, just hours prior to her scheduled sentencing for the murder of her husband. Linda Kosuda-Bigazzi's sudden death has prompted an investigation by state police, who are categorizing it as an “untimely death.” Kosuda-Bigazzi was set to appear in Hartford Superior Court later that day for sentencing, following a plea agreement related to the killing of her husband, Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi.

Circumstances Surrounding Kosuda-Bigazzi's Death

State police were notified and dispatched to Kosuda-Bigazzi's home shortly after 10:30 a.m. for a welfare check. The cause of her death is currently under investigation, with authorities and her legal representatives refraining from disclosing additional details at this time. Kosuda-Bigazzi had been slated to receive her sentence at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. Her attorney, Patrick Tomasiewicz, expressed astonishment and sorrow regarding her death. In his statement, Tomasiewicz described Kosuda-Bigazzi as “a very independent woman who was always in control of her own destiny” and commended the legal team's efforts in defending her throughout a protracted and intricate case spanning six years.

Background of the Case

Kosuda-Bigazzi had entered into a plea deal that sentenced her to 13 years in prison for the death of her husband, Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi, who was 84 at the time of his demise. The murder, which occurred in 2017, only came to public attention following a wellness check conducted by state troopers in February 2018. Kosuda-Bigazzi had hidden her husband’s body in the basement of their home, wrapped in plastic, and the body exhibited advanced decomposition. The medical examiner concluded that Dr. Bigazzi had died from blunt trauma to the head.

Investigators revealed that Kosuda-Bigazzi had provided written accounts of a violent confrontation with her husband. According to her statements, an argument over necessary repairs to their backyard deck led to a physical altercation. Kosuda-Bigazzi claimed that Dr. Bigazzi approached her wielding a hammer, which she managed to wrest from him. During the struggle, she reported swinging the hammer in various directions until Dr. Bigazzi ceased moving and eventually stopped breathing. Kosuda-Bigazzi described remaining by his body for an extended period, underscoring the traumatic and disorienting nature of the incident.

Financial and Institutional Implications

Following Dr. Bigazzi's death, his paychecks from UConn Health continued to be deposited into the couple’s joint checking account, revealing that Kosuda-Bigazzi continued to collect his salary despite his death. This continued financial activity raised concerns regarding institutional oversight. An internal investigation by UConn Health identified that a medical official responsible for monitoring Dr. Bigazzi’s employment had failed to make contact with him in the months leading up to the discovery of his body. This lapse in oversight resulted in disciplinary measures against the involved medical official.

The case has highlighted significant issues related to personal oversight, financial monitoring, and the investigation of suspicious deaths. Kosuda-Bigazzi’s death, occurring just before her sentencing, adds a tragic and unforeseen twist to an already complex legal situation. As investigations into her death progress, both the legal community and the public await further developments and the resolution of the remaining aspects of the case.