Police: Lack Of Cooperation Held Up Parisot Case

WILTON, Conn. – A four-year investigation hindered by what the Wilton Police said was a lack of cooperation has led to the arrest of a juvenile suspect in the death of Nicholas Parisot four years ago in a wooded area of town.

“Unfortunately and sadly, the long investigation was frustrated by a lack of cooperation from individuals who police believed had relevant information,” First Selectman William Brennan told a press conference Friday morning.   

Parisot, 13, died June 13, 2008, while riding his motorized bike near Hickory Hill and Hillbrook roads. Police said he struck a rope tied to trees across a wooded trail.

Brennan's remarks were echoed by Police Chief Michael Lombardo. “For those who have not fully cooperated, shame on you,” Lombardo said. “It has taken longer than it should have to bring us to where we are today for the Parisot family.”  

Police arrested the suspect Thursday at his home in Placentia in Orange County, Calif. He is being held in California pending extradition to Connecticut, where he will be charged as a juvenile with second-degree manslaughter, a class C felony. Police did not identify the boy because of his age.

Brennan said the arrest announcement was “not a joyful” occasion. “The loss of Nick Parisot, a 13-year-old boy in the prime of his life, was a tragedy not only for his family, but for the entire community of Wilton,” Brennan said.

Lombardo said the boy in custody has been a suspect “since early on in the investigation.” In thanking officers in Wilton and Placentia, Lombardo said Parisot's death was never a “cold case” even though it took four years to make an arrest. “It has been active from day one, and it was our goal to bring this to a conclusion for the victim and for the Parisot family,” Lombardo said. “I believe today that this is part of what we achieved.”

The chief added that the investigation is still active, but he would not say if there would be more charges or other arrests. Lombardo said he did speak with Parisot’s family and let them know about the arrest. He did not elaborate on what they had to say.

Francis Carino, a supervisory assistant in the State's Attorney’s office in Rocky Hill, said the maximum penalty for a juvenile is four years plus 18 months commitment to the state Department of Children and Families and placement in the Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown for treatment and rehabilitation. But if it is the boy’s first offense, he said, he will likely get probation. “It is rare to be committed if it’s a first offense,” he said.

Esme Hoban, a friend of Parisot’s mother, Kate Throckmorton, said Friday she was pleased an arrest had been made. “I’m very appreciative that the Wilton Police Department has pursued this and arrested a suspect,” she said.

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