Connecticut Ex-College Athlete Dies After Chest Pains; Wife Blames Doctor

A Connecticut widow has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in New London Superior Court. She accuses a cardiologist and Starling Physicians of not ordering timely tests after her husband’s ongoing chest pains and an abnormal ECG—a sequence she believes led to his death on October 23, 2024.

Samuel Alejandro Jr., 32, was a former Fisher College baseball player. He’d been dealing with worsening symptoms and was scheduled for an echocardiogram and stress test about three weeks after an October 2 visit.

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The autopsy listed pulmonary emboli from a hypercoagulable state as the cause of death. The lawsuit argues that earlier testing could have caught the problem.

Attorney Kelly E. Reardon is handling the case. She says the goal isn’t just compensation—it’s also about preventing this from happening to someone else.

Filing and Parties

In the complaint filed in New London, the widow names Dr. Mohamed Reza Mansoor and Starling Physicians as defendants.

The suit claims urgent testing didn’t happen, even though Alejandro had an abnormal ECG and notes listing possible pulmonary embolism and acute coronary syndrome. The parent company that bought Starling Physicians in 2023 wouldn’t comment on the lawsuit.

Alejandro’s family describes him as a devoted husband and active community member. He worked in insurance, real estate photography, and stayed involved with his church.

Allegations and Evidence

The main claims focus on the alleged failure to communicate urgency and order the right tests after the October 2 appointment. The complaint says Alejandro’s symptoms and abnormal ECG should have led to faster evaluation.

If doctors had found the condition sooner, they could have started anticoagulation therapy right away. The autopsy connected the death to a hypercoagulable state of unknown type. The lawsuit insists that prompt testing would have revealed the risk and probably changed the outcome.

A medical professional consulted for the case agreed that earlier diagnosis could have made a difference.

Alleged delay in ordering urgent cardiac testing after an abnormal ECG
Failure to adequately communicate urgency to the patient and family
Potential for early anticoagulation if diagnosed promptly
Autopsy finding: pulmonary emboli in a hypercoagulable state
Claims that a consult deemed the condition diagnosable earlier
Comments from the acquiring entity’s representative to the press were not provided

Timeline and Medical Context

Alejandro first sought care at urgent care on August 19, 2024. He went again on September 25, 2024.

After an abnormal ECG, doctors referred him to cardiology. An echocardiogram and stress test were scheduled for about three weeks after his October 2 appointment.

He died on October 23, 2024. The family believes faster testing would have found the condition and led to treatment, possibly saving his life.

The autopsy’s finding of pulmonary emboli from an unknown hypercoagulable state seems to back up the concern that timely evaluation could have changed things. The case has started a conversation about how quickly recommendations for testing actually lead to care, and that’s something a lot of people in Connecticut are thinking about.

Autopsy Findings and Future Implications

The autopsy determined that pulmonary emboli from a hypercoagulable state caused Alejandro’s death. The family’s lawsuit argues that prompt diagnostic testing would have uncovered the problem and allowed treatment to prevent it.

Attorney Reardon says the lawsuit aims to improve clinical practices and push for better patient safety in Connecticut’s medical system.

Connecticut Towns and Local Context

This case has caught the attention of people all over Connecticut, from the coast to inland cities. Folks here depend on quick access to cardiology care and testing, and this lawsuit highlights real concerns about how fast urgent symptoms actually get addressed.

Medical malpractice and patient-safety issues come up a lot in Connecticut. This case just adds to the ongoing debate about how doctors respond to warning signs and how fast they move to testing.

Connecticut towns and communities impacted by the story

New London
Groton
Mystic
Waterbury
Hartford
New Haven
Stamford
Norwalk
Bridgeport
Danbury

This litigation comes as Connecticut towns keep struggling with healthcare access and physician accountability. Patient-safety protocols are, honestly, still a work in progress.

The case will probably wind its way through court filings and maybe some pre-trial talks. Supporters want clearer rules about urgent testing after worrisome cardiac findings, but it’s tough to say what will actually change.

The obituary for Alejandro paints a picture of a man who cared deeply about his faith and his community. It’s a tough reminder—medical decisions don’t just affect one person; they send shockwaves through families and towns all over Connecticut.

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