The Family of Lauren Smith-Fields Gives Credit to Cardi B For Sparking Criminal Investigation

Social media comments from Cardi B on Lauren Smith-Fields went viral, launching a criminal investigation on the TikTok influencer's death.

When word spread about the mysterious death of TikTok influencer Lauren Smith-Fields on December 12th, Cardi B rallied in support, and, according to Smith-Fields' family, her impact contributed to the start of a criminal investigation.

On December 12th, Smith-Fields was found dead inside her Bridgeport, Connecticut apartment after a date with 37-year-old Matthew LaFountain. The two had been drinking tequila in the apartment the night before, and LaFountain alleged that Smith-Fields became ill and went to vomit in her bathroom. The next morning, LaFountain called police after discovering blood leaking from an unresponsive Smith-Fields’ right nostril. She also wasn't breathing. After a brief inquiry from the Bridgeport police, LaFountain wasn't arrested or further questioned about the incident.

"Naa this man don’t look old and it’s not old at all and yet the media made it seem like she was wit a [sic] old ass man lookin to trick on her. I'm disgusted on how they spin the narrative specially because I see people saying online “that’s wat she gets”," Cardi tweeted on Sunday, January 23rd. 

"This is sooo scary!!!A fictional murderer character but in real life!! Justice for Lauren. Connecticut you have failed that young lady!!!" she added in a follow-up tweet, with an image of Matthew LaFountain — the last person who was with Smith-Fields — and George Harvey (Stanley Tucci) from 2009 thriller film The Lovely Bones.

On Monday evening, the Medical Examiner concluded that Smith-Fields cause of death was acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, promethazine, hydroxyzine, and alcohol. Her death was ruled an accident, but due to concerns from her family — and alleged negligence from the Bridgeport Police Department — a criminal investigation has officially been opened into Smith-Fields' death. According to NewsNation Now, the Bridgeport Police Department announced Tuesday that it will investigate the death of Lauren Smith-Fields as a crime with assistance from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

After the investigation was opened, TMZ reported that Cardi got an open invitation from Smith-Fields' family to check-in, virtually or in-person, about the investigation's progress. The family's attorney, Darnell Crossland, also thanked Cardi on Twitter.

“Criminal Probe Launched in Death of Lauren Smith-Fields – [Cardi B] thanks to your voice we are moving towards justice, just announced today a criminal investigation will be launched,” Crossland tweeted on Wednesday.

This wouldn't be the first time that Cardi used her influence for a good deed. Last week, Rolling Stone reported that the rapper will cover the funeral expenses for all 17 victims of the recent Bronx apartment building fire. In 2018, she also donated $8,000 to the family of Lesandro 'Junior' Guzman-Feliz after the 15-year-old was slain in the Bronx, according to Billboard.