Mary Notarangelo Found Dead Under Debris in Hoarded Connecticut Home

Glastonbury, Connecticut – The tragic story of Mary Notarangelo, a retired police detective, has shocked the community after her skeletal remains were found beneath piles of debris in her hoarded home earlier this year.

The 73-year-old, who once served the Bridgeport Police Department, lived a reclusive life in her final years, surrounded by birds and animals. She posted on social media occasionally, showing affection for her pets, especially birds like cockatoos and parrots. One video even featured her shopping with a cockatoo at a crafts store.

But on July 3, 2024, after a friend requested a welfare check, police found her home in extreme hoarding conditions—with garbage mountains up to six feet high. Officers were unable to locate her at that time.

Remains Found 7 Months Later

Despite multiple search attempts between July and November 2024, authorities were hindered by piles of trash, dead animals, and hazardous conditions. A drone sent inside even failed due to thick cobwebs.

It wasn’t until February 24, 2025, that a crew with an excavator uncovered Mary Notarangelo’s skeletal remains just behind the front door. The state medical examiner could not determine the cause of death due to the advanced state of decomposition.

Final Messages and Health Concerns

The friend who called police said he last received a message from Mary on June 12, 2024, where she complained of vomiting, abdominal pain, and a fall. It remains unclear why the welfare call was delayed or why it took so long to locate her body.

A Life Once Full of Purpose

Notarangelo had served with distinction in the Bridgeport Police Department from 1985 to 1996, rising to detective and then sergeant. She retired on disability after a serious on-duty car crash.

She was also known for her strong belief in Wicca, her love of animals, and her training in Reiki healing. Her friend Patti Steeves remembered her as “quirky but kind,” adding, “She loved her animals more than she did herself.”

Efforts to contact family and her estate attorney have not been successful. Her brother and niece declined to comment.