A tragic case of domestic violence has culminated in a high-stakes legal battle, with a Connecticut lawsuit alleging that a psychiatric hospital's negligence led directly to a young woman's murder. The suit claims that 59-year-old dentist Michael Mollow, who began dating Caroline Ashworth when she was just 18, killed her before turning the gun on himself after being prematurely released from care despite expressing dangerous obsessions.
A Relationship Marred by Control and Abuse
According to the civil lawsuit cited by the Hartford Courant, Caroline Ashworth was 18 when she met Michael Mollow of Branford, Connecticut, in late 2019 or early 2020. Their three-year relationship was allegedly characterised by abuse and controlling behaviour from the outset. The legal complaint details how Mollow exercised dominance over the much younger woman by claiming ownership of her car and managing her cell phone plan, establishing a pattern of coercive control.
Escalating Violence and Police Involvement
The situation reached a critical point in August 2022 when Ashworth first contacted police to report that Mollow had previously threatened to shoot her and had assaulted her. Just five days later, Mollow himself contacted law enforcement and allegedly acknowledged tracking Ashworth using a GPS device, while also admitting to taking her cell phone during a confrontation. The following day, he followed up with police claiming Ashworth had stolen a vehicle – a vehicle the lawsuit states he had convinced her to co-sign after she traded in her old car.
After multiple domestic violence calls to Mollow's home, Ashworth moved out on August 22, 2022, seeking safety by traveling to Alabama to visit her family while Mollow remained in Connecticut. This separation allegedly triggered a dark spiral for the dentist, who checked himself into a psychiatric hospital the very next day.
Psychiatric Admission and Premature Discharge
Mollow originally sought care at Midstate Medical Center, where he admitted to owning multiple guns and having a pistol permit. He also revealed he was mixing alcohol with Xanax obtained "off the street," according to the lawsuit. Most alarmingly, he allegedly told hospital staff he was "totally obsessed" with his ex-girlfriend and had "homicidal ideations" about her.
The hospital admitted Mollow under a 15-day physician's emergency certificate, which allows patients to be confined without a court order. Police were notified about his concerning comments, but the complaint states an officer allegedly never contacted Ashworth, citing her voicemail not being set up. The case was marked "inactive" less than 90 minutes after the hospital's call.
Transfer and Controversial Release
One day after his admission to Midstate Medical Center, Mollow was transferred to St. Vincent's psychiatric facility, which had access to his complete medical records. Despite his documented dangerous obsessions and willingness to remain hospitalized, he was discharged after just two days – a decision the lawsuit describes as "premature." Upon release, Mollow was merely instructed to follow up with his primary care doctor and a social worker five days later.
The Fatal Confrontation
One day after his release from St. Vincent's, Mollow allegedly followed Ashworth to a condominium complex in Wethersfield. In a parking lot confrontation, he shot the 21-year-old three times before using the same gun to take his own life. The lawsuit filed on behalf of Ashworth's mother, Angela, argues that SVMC Holdings Inc. – which owns the hospital that released Mollow – should be held liable for negligence leading to her daughter's death.
Legal Arguments and Pending Case
Ashworth's attorney appeared before the Connecticut Supreme Court on Thursday, presenting arguments for the hospital's liability. In response, attorney Eric Del Pozo, representing the hospital, contended there was no "duty to warn" Ashworth about Mollow's release. Del Pozo further argued that the suit did not include Mollow making any homicidal statements once he was at St. Vincent's Medical Center, and claimed Ashworth "knew everything" that the suit alleged the hospital "should have told her."
The legal case remains pending, with jury selection expected to begin in December according to court records. The Daily Mail has reached out to Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, who are representing Ashworth's estate, and Eric Del Pozo for additional comment on the developing litigation.
