Recent prison documents reveal that Tyree Smith, referred to as the “Connecticut Cannibal,” displayed violent tendencies while incarcerated, raising concerns about his release. Before being set free, he was deemed a “serious threat” by prison officials.
In 2011, Smith confessed to murdering Angel Gonzalez, a homeless man, and admitted to consuming parts of his body in a cemetery.
Although he was found innocent due to insanity in 2013 and committed to Connecticut Valley Hospital for 60 years, Smith was granted conditional release from the Nutmeg State Psychiatric Security Review Board in February 2025. This allows him to leave the hospital in Middletown, though he is still under supervision and receiving mental health care. According to WTNH.
A Connecticut man with a notorious history of cannibalism has been released under specific conditions after the 2011 murder.
Tyree Smith was arrested on February 1, 2012, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. (File via Ned Gerard/Hearst Connecticut Media)
Since his release, Smith has been living in a community facility under strict guidelines, including around-the-clock supervision and treatment. CBS News has reported on this situation.
According to Smith’s doctor, he is undergoing rehabilitation and is on medication that helps him manage his mental illness and the “voices” he hears.
“The director is quite pleased with his progress. He’s a support for other residents,” noted forensic psychiatrist Karen Teitelbaum. “If he remains stable, he could be a calming presence for others.” She added that he has been doing well with his treatment, denying any hallucinations or impulses to harm.
However, new documents from the Connecticut Department of Corrections tell a different story, suggesting Smith still poses a risk.
This man insists on his innocence regarding charges of cannibalism.
Tyree Smith is now under supervision after his release. (Linhaven Police Station)
Documents highlight Smith’s aggressive behavior towards other inmates, revealing incidents where he had to be separated due to conflicts. In one instance, a report from April 2013 details how Smith was involved in a physical altercation at Garner Correctional Facility soon after being charged with murder.
Smith reportedly attacked another inmate who had insulted him. This brawl further solidified concerns about him as a danger to society, according to Gonzalez’s sister-in-law, Talisa Frazier. She expressed her outrage, saying it’s shocking that while he claims insanity, he continues to engage in violent actions.
Meanwhile, unsettling reports continue to emerge from different states regarding similar threats.
Connecticut Senator Paul Cicarella and other Republican senators criticized the release decision as “outrageous.” (Getty Images)
Due to this brawl, authorities decided Smith was too dangerous to be reintegrated into the general prison population, leading to his isolation. His file now clearly states that his presence poses a serious threat to safety, life, and property.
Gonzalez’s body, found in January 2012, was brutally mutilated in Bridgeport, Connecticut, about 65 miles from New York City. The Associated Press reported. Testimony from Smith’s cousin revealed chilling details of him claiming to have eaten portions of Gonzalez’s brain and eyes.
Alarmingly, just hours before the murder, Smith warned his cousin about his intentions. “I mean, I never expected anyone in the family would actually do something like that,” she recounted.
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Following the announcement about Smith’s release, concerns from critics grew louder. Republican state Senator Paul Cicarella, among others, expressed strong opposition to his release, emphasizing the serious nature of his crimes.
“Combining terms like ‘liberation’ with murder and cannibalism doesn’t sit well,” he said. He mentioned to WFSB.
Cicarella and his fellow senators characterized the decision as “outrageous” and a concerning message regarding public safety, particularly for the families of victims like Gonzalez.
As of now, the Connecticut Department of Corrections has not responded to inquiries for comments.
