Bodycam Footage Reveals Disturbing Discovery in Hoarding Case
Police body camera footage depicts a gruesome scene—a towering pile of trash discovered long after the body of a retired Connecticut detective went missing. The remains of Mary Notarangelo, a 73-year-old former officer from Bridgeport, were found beneath a mountain of garbage at her isolated home in Glastonbury, which also harbored dead birds, mice, and live cats.
The video shows officers struggling to open the front door, which was blocked by a mass of garbage piled against it. This footage was released as part of a public information request. Many windows at the property were boarded up, further isolating it from the nearby roads surrounded by dense, wooded areas.
The footage, filmed in July 2024 when officers first investigated the home for Notarangelo, revealed an array of disturbing items: used toilet paper, discarded cans, and plastic bottles littering the floors. Cleaning up the site proved perilous, with workers dressed in hazmat suits sifting through the debris.
“I’ve got a cat!” exclaimed one officer upon finding the lone live animal in the chaotic environment. Another officer described the overwhelming stench, stating, “You can taste a foul in your mouth.” Their reactions encapsulate the distressing atmosphere within the property, which he noted was filled with soiled items. “It’s not safe,” he added.
This case stands out as one of the most extensive hoarding situations that officials have encountered, according to Kevin Szydlo from the Glastonbury Police Department. Notarangelo’s death was initially reported in June, but her skeletal remains were discovered in February.
She had been reported missing in July 2024, after a friend came to check on her and noticed issues with her pets. The last communication Notarangelo had with a friend was around June 12, 2024, where she mentioned experiencing falls, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
Although the discovery was made several months ago, the cause and manner of Notarangelo’s death have yet to be determined, as stated by the Connecticut Chief Medical Examiner’s Office.
Having served as a detective in Bridgeport from 1985 to 1986, and being promoted to detective in 1992, Notarangelo’s career was cut short by injuries sustained in a car accident while on duty, leading to her retirement due to disability.
