Connecticut leaders celebrate passage of domestic violence bill stemming from 2018 killing of Emily Todd

BETHEL, Conn. (WTNH) — A ceremony was held Wednesday to recognize the passage of domestic violence legislation inspired by years of advocacy from the loved ones of Emily Todd, who was killed in 2018 by a man she met on a dating app.

Emily Todd was fatally shot in 2018 next to a Brightport boat ramp in 2018. Her murderer, an Ohio man who was 26 at the time, was found guilty of murder and robbery in 2022.

Following her death, initial conversations and the formation of a Domestic Violence Homicide Committee found a critical gap: Connecticut had no organized way to identify and track domestic violence cases as they moved across the criminal justice system.

Without this data, it was difficult to evaluate outcomes, identify trends or develop informed policy solutions, according to the Connecticut General Assembly.

Through this, House Bill 5313 was born, which directs the state Judicial Branch and partner agencies to develop a comprehensive plan for a uniform statewide domestic violence case identification system. The bill is designed to improve oversight, strengthen accountability, enhance data collection and provide policymakers with better information to analyze future reforms, the Connecticut General Assembly press release states.

State leaders and community members gathered on Wednesday to celebrate the passage of this legislation and honor Emily’s legacy.

“Emily’s story changed our community, and her legacy is now helping change Connecticut,” state Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan (D-2nd) said.

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