Two individuals, Logan Diaz-Lopardo, 21, and Abbigale Whipple, 20, both from Torrington, Connecticut, are facing serious charges in connection with a manslaughter case that occurred last July in Harwinton. The pair were arrested on Monday, as announced by state police. The investigation began on July 28, when 24-year-old Kevin Christopher Gangell was struck and killed by a car on Clearview Avenue.
Diaz-Lopardo was identified as the driver, with Whipple in the passenger seat at the time of the incident. Whipple and Gangell had been in a relationship for over a year, but things took a turn when they argued on the night of July 27. The following morning, Whipple discovered that Gangell had blocked her on his phone, which upset her. In response, Whipple reached out to Diaz-Lopardo for support, even though she stated that she had no romantic interest in him. According to police reports, Whipple described Diaz-Lopardo as someone who was obsessed with her and would do anything for her, though she noted that she led him on in an attempt to avoid hurting his feelings.
State police also uncovered messages between Diaz-Lopardo and Whipple on the morning of the crash, which revealed the duo’s intentions. Whipple allegedly sent texts asking Diaz-Lopardo, “Can we beat his ass please” and expressing a desire to hurt Gangell. Minutes before the crash, Whipple sent Gangell a message reading “I warned you.” Following the exchange, Diaz-Lopardo and Whipple deliberately struck Gangell with the car, throwing him 70 feet, which led to his death.
As a result, Diaz-Lopardo was charged with multiple counts, including manslaughter in the first degree with intent to injure, manslaughter in the first degree with grave risk of death, and conspiracy to commit manslaughter in the first degree. Whipple faces charges of conspiracy to commit manslaughter in the first degree and accessory to manslaughter in the first degree. Diaz-Lopardo is being held on a $500,000 bond, while Whipple’s bond is set at $250,000.
