‘Connecticut Cannibal’ Tyree Smith was a ‘serious threat to life’ in prison before release: report

Recent prison records reveal that Tyree Smith, known as the “Connecticut Cannibal,” displayed violent behavior while incarcerated and was considered a serious danger to others in prison prior to his release, as per a news report. Smith admitted to killing a homeless man, Angel Gonzalez, in Connecticut in 2011 and consuming parts of the victim’s body in a cemetery. Although found not guilty by reason of insanity for Gonzalez’s death in 2013, Smith was committed to Connecticut Valley Hospital for 60 years. In February 2025, he was conditionally released by the state’s Psychiatric Security Review Board, allowing him to depart from Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown under supervision and mental health care. Smith’s doctor mentioned that he has been rehabilitated, taking medication for psychosis and auditory hallucinations. Described as a source of support by his psychiatrist, Smith has shown stability, adhered to treatment, and denied any violent tendencies or self-harm desires. Despite this, newly obtained prison documents suggest a darker side to Smith, detailing altercations with fellow inmates during his sentence. Following a brawl in April 2013 at Garner Correctional Facility, where Smith struck an inmate unprovoked, authorities deemed him too dangerous for the general prison population. The incident raised concerns among critics, including State Sen. Paul Cicarella, who opposed Smith’s release, emphasizing public safety and justice for the victim’s family. Smith’s relatives and lawmakers expressed outrage over the decision, questioning the release of an individual involved in a heinous crime.