PHOENIX – A family initiated legal action against the Phoenix Police Department last month, alleging negligence in the investigation into the death of their mother.

Suzanna Delgado, 27, died on March 10th, according to a notice of claim from the attorneys representing Delgado’s family.

The notice alleges the Phoenix Police Department was quick to determine Delgado died of an overdose, despite evidence pointing to possible foul play.

“The entire investigation into her death was carless, incomplete and unjust,” Arizona attorney Cash Fazal said during a Wednesday press conference.

Why is Delgado’s family filing a notice of claim against Phoenix police?

The notice claims Phoenix police failed to secure the crime scene where Delgado died, her mother’s home, leading to possible evidence being lost or unusable.

Notice of Claim – Cash Fazal – City of Phoenix by kwerner

It also states that police failed to locate Delgado’s wallet, which is still missing.

However, core to the notice are allegations there could have been foul play.

It claims police did not detain the person that Delgado was last seen with, and that when authorities did speak with the person, they gave inconsistent information.

“To our knowledge they did have a prior intimate relationship,” Fazal said. “There are also some witnesses who observed that individual, on the same day, parked down the street from this residence for hours before he entered the home.”

The City of Phoenix has declined to comment on the legal action and the case itself.

“This is all corroborated by officers’ own body cameras and police reports,” Fazal added.

Overall, the family accuses Phoenix PD of:

  • Failing to properly investigate Delgado’s death and track evidence.
  • Wrongful death due to depriving Delgado’s family of companionship and support.
  • Negligent infliction of emotional distress.
  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress.
  • Negligent hiring and reckless disregard.

The family is seeking $15 million in damages. 

“We want transparency, we want accountability and we want justice,” Delgado’s sister Vanessa Vasquez said at the press conference. “Nothing will bring her back but this forces change, the next family doesn’t have to go through this.”

For Delgado’s family – which includes her two young children – there’s no getting out of the “nightmare” of losing a loved one.

“No parent ever imagines standing here like this, speaking about their child’s death and begging for someone to care enough to tell the truth,” her mother Sylvia Delgado added.

The City of Phoenix has 60 days from the date the notice of claim was filed, Sept. 4th, to respond before Delgado’s family can seek a full lawsuit.

KTAR News 92.3 FM initiated a public records request from the Phoenix Police Department to learn more about what happened on March 10th.

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