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Residents press West Haven council to act after investigation into Roya Mohammadi's death
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Summary
Several public commenters urged the city to scrutinize the West Haven Police Department's internal investigation into the 2023 death of Roya Mohammadi, citing delayed evidence collection, poor family communication and requests for femicide-specific investigative standards.
Nika Zaresvan, speaking during public comment, told the City Council she had reviewed the police internal affairs report into the death of Roya Mohammadi and found serious gaps. "Do you think it's acceptable that it took the police four weeks to conduct an interview with a suspect in your daughter's case?" Zaresvan asked, adding that investigators delayed collecting evidence and failed to communicate with the family because the mother lives overseas.
Vanessa Suarez, who identified herself as affiliated with Hartford-area mutual aid work, said timely notification and communication with victims' families is essential and accused a detective in the Mohammadi case of discriminatory treatment. "Detective Sarasi's treatment of Roya and her family is discrimination even if West Haven police won't name it," Suarez said, noting Connecticut law now requires next-of-kin notification within 24 hours of body identification.
A third speaker, Amara, a New Haven resident who described herself as a family member of a prior femicide victim, said West Haven's numbers in local datasets deserve close scrutiny and urged the council to invest in culturally competent domestic-violence response, interpretation services and wraparound supports.
The speakers asked the council to adopt clearer standards for investigating gender-based killings, to improve interpretation and family-notification policies, and to meet with advocates who say they have offered suggestions that have not yet been implemented. No formal council action on police procedures was recorded during the meeting.
Mayor Dorinda Borer responded during the health-department discussion later in the evening by acknowledging the concerns and listing steps the city has taken on homelessness and victim services, including a warming center and client-assist funding for security deposits. "We could always do more," the mayor said, while describing recent local initiatives and ongoing conversations with state housing officials.
The council did not vote on changes to police policies at the meeting. Speakers asked the mayor and council to meet with families and advocates to review the internal affairs findings and consider policy changes.
Next steps: The speakers requested a meeting with city officials and stronger local standards for femicide and family communications; the council did not set a date for such a meeting during the session.
