Family of Woman with Opioid Addiction Sues a Mass. Police Department for Records

The family of a 30-year-old Vermont woman whose obituary gained national attention for its discussion about her opioid addiction are suing a Massachusetts police department for information about the days leading up to her death.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday the family of Madelyn Linsenmeir, whose obituary was widely shared after she died Oct. 7.

The suit against the Springfield Police Department and city of Springfield says Linsenmeir was arrested in late September and later transferred to the custody of the sheriff’s department.

It says she was rushed on Oct. 4 to the hospital, where she later died.

The complaint says lawyers for Linsenmeir’s family have requested documents that might shed light on her arrest and detention, but haven’t received them.

Springfield’s city attorney didn’t immediately respond to an email.